Tue Apr 01 09:47:22 UTC 2025: ## Yunus’ Remarks on Northeast Spark Concerns Over India’s Vulnerable ‘Chicken’s Neck’

**New Delhi, [Date]** – Remarks by Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, regarding the landlocked nature of India’s northeastern states and their potential access to the sea via Bangladesh, have ignited a political firestorm and renewed anxieties over the security of the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck.”

Yunus’s comments, made during a recent visit to China, suggested that Bangladesh could provide a crucial maritime link for India’s Northeast, opening up economic opportunities, particularly for China. This statement has been met with sharp criticism from Indian officials.

The Chicken’s Neck, a narrow strip of land connecting India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country, has long been a source of concern due to its vulnerability. Its narrow width (approximately 20 km at its thinnest point), flanked by Nepal and Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south, makes it susceptible to blockade. The 1962 Sino-Indian War highlighted this vulnerability, and the 2017 Doklam standoff with China further emphasized the need for robust security measures in the region. India has since deployed significant security forces, including the Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, to safeguard the corridor.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for accelerated development of rail and road infrastructure connecting the Northeast to the rest of India to mitigate the risks associated with the corridor’s vulnerability. Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera accused Bangladesh of inviting China to encircle India, criticizing the government’s foreign policy.

The change in leadership in Bangladesh, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government, has added another layer of complexity to the geopolitical situation. India’s traditionally friendly relations with Bangladesh have become strained amidst concerns over reports of attacks on minorities and Bangladesh’s increasing engagement with China. Yunus’s comments, and the subsequent Indian reaction, underscore the heightened tensions and the crucial role the Chicken’s Neck plays in India’s national security.

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