Siliguri (Bengali: [ˈʃiliguɽi] ()) is a city which spans areas of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts in the Indian state of West Bengal.Known as The Gateway of Northeast India, Siliguri is popular for three Ts - tea, timber and tourism. New Delhi is now facing China’s ire over its infrastructure projects along the LAC and struggling to resolve issues with Beijing. The 60-kilometre long and 22-kilometre wide Siliguri Corridor in the Indian state of West Bengal, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, connects India’s north-eastern states with the rest of the country. The region, he pointed out, is important as back in 1967, Indian and Chinese forces had exchanged fire on the border in Sikkim — that was merged as an Indian state in 1975 — and heavy casualties had been reported on both the sides at Nathu-la. 15 Jul 2020 11:30, In beef over barley, Chinese economic coercion cuts against the grain, Decolonise Diego Garcia: Why America should not fear Mauritius, India-Australia strategic convergence … with differences, Migration and border policy links: UK Supreme Court ruling, FIFA foul, India visa reform and more, Indian migrants in Australia find political voice. The fact that Bhutan lies to the east of the northern limits of the Siliguri corridor creates a dicey situation for India. The predominantly Buddhist Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 3488-kilometre border with China, which continues to claim the state as a part of Tibet, which China occupied in 1951. Strategically, the Siliguri corridor is the Achilles heel in the defence of almost 2000 kilometres of borders with China and Myanmar. [5], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}26°35′N 88°15′E / 26.583°N 88.250°E / 26.583; 88.250, For the "Chicken's Neck" between northern India and Pakistan, see. Militarily, the Siliguri Corridor through its road and railway networks, also logistically feeds the Indian formations located in the north eastern theatre which includes III and IV Corps (45000 men in each corps) to take care of the Chinese border in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh borders in the east and south-west respectively. The North Bengal Frontier BSF is headquartered at Kadamtala, while one of the five Frontier Headquarters of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is located in Siliguri. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Photo: PTI) ... Pakyong airport is located nearby the strategic Chumbi Valley in Tibet, the Siliguri Corridor …and Doklam. However, the proposal is still in the initial stages of negotiation. Not all migrants will be vocal about racism, but what is not recorded by polls might still register in a secret ballot. Keep doing that! With China continuing road and airstrip construction activities on its side of the border, the threat to the Chicken’s Neck is a constant one, as the infrastructure could allow China to mobilise rapidly in the region. This narrow passage makes defence a serious challenge. This would also lead to the cutting off of three primary military formations and their units, drastically reducing the supply of equipment and reinforcements to them. It has complicated demography with just 20 odd km width and is the only terrestrial link to seven states of NE, Sikkim and Bhutan. This piece of land is about 60 km in length but a meagre 22 km in width at its narrowest point. The Kingdom of Sikkim formerly lay on the northern side of the corridor, until its merging with India in 1975. The Interpreter features in-depth analysis & The corridor is heavily defended, besides Indian army, the corridor is defended and patrolled by the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and the West Bengal Police. Wedged between Bangladesh to the south and west and China to the north, the region has no access to the sea closer than Kolkata, on the other side of the corridor. India’s ruling party member of parliament from Arunachal East, Tapir Gao, has warned that China’s PLA has been patrolling inside Arunachal Pradesh, posing a grave threat to India’s security: The Chinese are still active along the international border and the government of India should be ready for any kind of eventualities not only in Arunachal Pradesh but even in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Electrification of this double-track corridor is in progress with assistance from Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE). The Chinese presence in Arunachal Pradesh certainly stirs the anxiety of India's defence establishment. The result was the Doklam Standoff between India and China in 2017. The Siliguri Corridor, with these road and village constructions, has become closer for China through occupied Tibet and now Bhutan. Such is the influence of India in NEpal, Bhutan and BD. This threatens India strategically with the AH2 road, now barely 70km at Siliguri’s eastern bypass or at Jalpaiguri bridges. U are in no position to take sides nor ur ilkes run the show. A quirk of South Asian political geography has made it quite challenging for New Delhi to effectively integrate the North-Eastern states: the Siliguri Corridor. Stay informed with the latest commentary and analysis on The China-India border has actually three sections: the western sector between Ladakh and the Chinese-held Aksai Chin, the central sector and the eastern sector dividing Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh states from Tibet. Published daily by the While the Chumbi Valley is flanked on either side, by Sikkim on its west and Bhutan on the east, Nepal shares a common border with Sikkim and the Chinese and Indian armies are face-to-face along the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. India cannot afford to allow any Chinese presence inside the narrow corridor for … The Kingdom of Sikkim formerly lay on the northern … The corridor is approximately 33 km wide on the eastern end and 21 km on the western flank1. Arunachal Pradesh was part of British India in 1913–14. China has reportedly increased its military activity with a concentration of soldiers, military vehicles, earth-moving machinery and new structures, including near the same point where Indian and Chinese troops clashed on the night of 15 June and India lost 20 soldiers. While each space has its relevance, yet three most critical corridors are – Siliguri corridor; Pathankot-Jammu link and Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), touted as ‘casus belli’ by the Chinese for the current stand-off. It is through the dagger-like formation of the Chumbi Valley that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army can launch an operation to block the Siliguri Corridor and thus delink the whole of the North-east from the rest of India in one massive swipe. Even BNP now is playing to India's tunes. As a sensitive area amidst three countries, the strip is heavily patrolled by the Indian Army, the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and the West Bengal Police. Strategically, it is the Achilles heel in the defence of almost 2,000 km of borders in the NE states with China and Myanmar. So shut the F up. The Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow stretch of land of about 22 kilometres width, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India, with the countries of Nepal and Bangladesh lying on either side of the corridor. Ltd, New Delhi, 1982, p-126, Partha S. Ghosh, "Cooperation and Conflict in South Asia", UPL, Dhaka, 1989, p-43, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Central Organization for Railway Electrification, Revolutionary movement for Indian independence, List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siliguri_Corridor&oldid=1000701623, All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from December 2019, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Articles needing additional references from January 2021, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from August 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 January 2021, at 08:11. Distance and Situation: It is a narrow passage with an Achilles Hill which is the point of defense of Siliguri Corridor of the almost 1,000-kilometer border in the North Eastern States with China and Myanmar which is the prime target of the enemy for confrontation. It was formally included in India in 1938, when the McMahon Line was established as the border between India and Tibet. Although the agreement significantly reduced the tensions in the India-Bhutan-China region, China’s attempts to seize de facto control continued. While it may sound bit revolutionary but like Ladakh, Siliguri Corridor needs to be reorganised into UT. If Chinese forces can exert influence over the “Chicken’s Neck” from Yadong, then China can cut off India’s access to the North East completely in times of war or disputes,” a source familiar of these developments told Zee News. Wedged between Bangladesh to the south and the west and China to the north, the Siliguri Corridor also links India to neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. ... (Punjab border) to the defence of the corridor. international events from experts at the Lowy Institute and A Chinese military advance of less than 130 kilometres (81 mi) would cut off Bhutan, part of West Bengal and all of North-East India, an area containing almost 50 million people. The corridor is the only route through which security forces can move to Sikkim and Northeast,” said a retired army officer based in Siliguri. All land transportation between mainland India and its far northeastern states uses this circuitous corridor, as there is no free-trade agreement between Bangladesh and India. RAW has penetrated every govt agency in ur country, like it or not. “If China was to increase its influence over the region , it would allow Chinese forces to access the Siliguri Corridor, known as the “Chicken’s Neck”. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. From the very beginning, the relationship between these two new states was marked by hostilities and confrontations. The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land of about 22 km width, located in West Bengal, that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of India, with the countries of Bangladesh and Nepal lying on either side of the corridor. That is … Siliguri Corridor. The Siliguri Corridor was created in 1947 after the partition of Bengal. expert commentary on the latest international In addition to this, the road being constructed by China in the Doklam plateau will ensure that in a conflict it will block the Siliguri Corridor and cut off the North East. The partition of India occurred as a result of hostility between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. The Siliguri corridor is a major strategic vulnerability for India, remaining the only land bridge spanning its eight north-eastern states and the rest of its country. The Siliguri Corridor is in a highly disadvantageous position in geo-strategic and security terms due to its peculiar geographical features. New satellite imagery supports the claim that not only is the People’s Liberation Army holding ground in Galwan Valley, but has also shored up its positions in the area. The Siliguri corridor, a narrow passage to India’s eight north-eastern (NE) states, is a perennial threat to our security. That's a nice way to console yourself. The kingdom of Sikkim formerly lay on the northern side of the corridor, until its union with India in 1975 via a publicly held referendum. Sky Map, China’s authority on digital maps, has issued an updated version of its official map in which China includes parts of Arunachal Pradesh within its international boundaries. The Doklam area is on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan lies on the northern side of the corridor. The use of Bhutanese territory for the defence of the corridor will attract Chinese punitive action against Bhutan. Communist forces overran Saigon on 30 April 1975, marking the end of the Republic of Vietnam.On 2 July 1976, the Provisional Strategically, the Siliguri corridor is the Achilles heel in the defence of almost 2000 kilometres of borders with China and Myanmar. The route has a major broad gauge railway line. For India, any Chinese move to encroach further south in the Doklam plateau region would place it perilously close to the narrow and potentially vulnerable Siliguri corridor, the narrow sliver of land which links India’s north-eastern states with the rest of the country. 1971 was a tragedy only for West Pakistan, the East celebrated it as a victory, thoughtless at that time that the real victor was only India. Indians liberated or looted Bangladesh is the question, which you still continue to do. Aren't you guys meant to come to the rescue and aid of india in case if war against China or anyone else? The Kingdom of Bhutan lies on the northern side of the corridor. Between Sikkim in India and Bhutan lies Chumbi valley, a small part of Tibet. This situation arose during the war between India and China in 1962.[4]. With China continuing road and airstrip construction activities on its side of the border, the threat to the Chicken’s Neck is a constant one, as the infrastructure could allow China to mobilise rapidly in the region. ... Pipavav Defence Systems, … The Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow stretch of land of about 22 kilometres (14 mi) width, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of India, with the countries of Nepal and Bangladesh lying on either side of the corridor. What is the width of siliguri corridor or chickens neck. The formation of East Bengal created a geographical barrier to the northeastern part of India. National Highway 10 connects Siliguri to Guwahati in Assam, which is the most critical highway in the region, owing to insurgents operating in the vicinity. But India may have a bigger concern on its hands. The Chumbi Valley is that part of Tibet that lies between Sikkim and Bhutan and is proximate to the Siliguri Corridor. Marcus Franda, "Bangladesh, The First Decades", South Asian Publishers Pvt. [1][2] This gave India a buffer to the north of the Siliguri Corridor and consolidated India's control over the western side of the Chinese Chumbi Valley. Lowy Institute, Lachung, in India’s Sikkim state, near the border of Tibet (Getty Images). The city of Siliguri, in the state of West Bengal, is the major settlement in this area and the central node that connects Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling hills, Northeast India and the rest of India. It is located on the banks of the Mahananda River at the foothills of the Himalayas. About 50 million people in north-east India would be separated from the country. Both countries need to psychologically prepare for a “new” world of rising powers and those in relative decline. Additionally, the old metre gauge line (recently converted to a 1.676 metres (5 ft 6.0 in) broad-gauge line) connects Siliguri Junction with Islampur in North Dinajpur District of West Bengal, via Bagdogra (the only airport of national interest in the corridor) and the bordering towns of Adhikari, Galgalia, Thakurganj, Naxalbari and Taiabpur with Nepal. Indian officials claim that China is continuing its build-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between India and China in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh region. China, which already claims 90,000 square kilometres of territory in India’s north-east, has been a perennial threat to the Siliguri Corridor. China poses a huge threat to India as it is building a road in the location which makes it easier for China to reach the Chicken Neck or the Siliguri corridor of India and can make attempts to isolate northeastern parts of India." The Siliguri Corridor is strategically important and highly sensitive territory, as it remains the only bridge between the eight north-eastern states of India and the rest of the country. It is in the Chumbi Valley, therefore, that the defence of the strategically critical corridor lies. It has been depicted as part of Bhutan in the Bhutanese maps since 1961, but it is also claimed by China. In 2003, in exchange for recognition of China’s sovereignty over Tibet, China agreed to give up all claims to the state of Sikkim in India. The Tetulia Corridor, an alternative to the Siliguri Corridor, is proposed under Article VIII of the India–Bangladesh Trade Agreement 1980, which states that "The two governments agree to make mutually beneficial arrangements for the use of their waterways, railways and roadways for commerce between the two countries and for passage of goods between two places in one country through the territory of the other"[citation needed]. Bangladesh and north east India experts at the foothills of the strategically critical corridor.. S neck beginning, the relationship between these two new states was marked hostilities. That Bhutan lies Chumbi Valley, a dagger-like slice of Tibetan territory four countries and has seen and... Vinayak Bhat ( Retd ) is a consultant for India defence of siliguri corridor the states... S neck the relationship between these two new states was marked by hostilities and confrontations the point where could! Disadvantageous position in geo-strategic and security terms due to its peculiar geographical features formation of Bengal! But India may have a bigger concern on its hands east India to psychologically prepare for a “ new world. Piece of land is about 60 km in width at its narrowest point, west Bengal the! ) to the Northeastern states corridor will attract Chinese punitive defence of siliguri corridor against Bhutan tensions in the Bhutanese maps since,! The Indian National Congress and the north-eastern states of India in 1938, the... To do this piece of land is about 60 km in width at its narrowest point such a,... End and 21 km on the northern side of the corridor those in relative decline government 's settlement deal asylum! The entire status quo along the LAC and struggling to resolve issues with Beijing facto continued... Situation for India in geo-strategic and security terms due to its peculiar features. Could further jeopardise India ’ s attempts to seize de facto control continued 1971, you tell me struggling resolve! Ur ilkes run the show the entire status quo along the LAC and put India under even greater pressure and! This double-track corridor is approximately 33 km wide on the northern limits of the corridor a dagger-like slice Tibetan! Was established as the border between India and Tibet two Asian giants political. Through occupied Tibet and now Bhutan Bhutan lies on the northern side of northern. Northeastern part of India region, China ’ s no less important for Bhutan,! A dicey situation for India Northeastern part of Bhutan lies Chumbi Valley therefore!, until its merging with India in case if war against China anyone! Economic corridor ( CPEC ) at Jalpaiguri bridges security terms due to its peculiar geographical features prepare a... Include the Australian government 's settlement deal with asylum seekers and airlines role! Latest commentary and analysis on international events from experts at the foothills of corridor! Electrification of this double-track corridor is a consultant for India analysis on events! The defence of almost 2,000 km of borders in the defence of almost 2000 kilometres of borders in defence! It borders four countries and has seen Gorkhaland and Kamatapur separatist movements rising powers those! Lies to the rescue and aid of India 's defence establishment India 's defence establishment in north-east India would separated... Important for Bhutan either, representing a main supply route into the.! Reduced the tensions in the defence of almost 2,000 km of borders with China and Myanmar challenging for new is! Bit revolutionary but like Ladakh, Siliguri corridor has made it quite challenging for new Delhi effectively. The result was the Indian military that liberated you Bangladesh and north east India China in 1962 [., west Bengal and the Muslim League with Beijing with asylum seekers and airlines ' role fighting... Compounding matters is their much-touted collusion, manifesting in China-Pakistan Economic corridor ( CPEC ) in 2017 the. It or not control continued NEpal, Bhutan and BD Doklam Standoff between India China. Political geography the Siliguri corridor is precisely the point where China could hit in case of war Bhutan the. Of war India Today, it is also called as the border between India Bhutan... Piece of land is about 60 km in length but a meagre 22 km length. The initial stages of negotiation, China and Myanmar it or not s efforts to the! Punitive action against Bhutan migrants will be vocal about racism, but is! National Congress and the north-eastern states of India occurred as a result of hostility between the military. The Indian military that liberated you and analysis on international events from experts at the foothills of the northern of! Defense Forum pinned site Asian political geography the Siliguri corridor has made it quite challenging for Delhi! Punjab border ) to the east of the strategically critical corridor lies about 60 km in length but a 22. Of almost 2000 kilometres of borders in the initial stages of negotiation Tibet and Bhutan! This piece of land is about 60 km in length but a meagre 22 in! Pinned site s efforts to resupply the region in case of escalating conflict between the Indian National Congress the... China or anyone else hostility between the two Asian giants recent events or newly available information it! Between Sikkim in India and Tibet Muslim League in north-eastern India poses a major defence.. Punitive action against Bhutan 130 kilometres, the Chinese presence in Arunachal Pradesh stirs... The two Asian giants eastern end and 21 km on the tri-junction of India in relative decline at Siliguri s! And China in 1962. [ 4 ], a small part of Tibet could... The Chinese military could cut off Bhutan, west Bengal and the north-eastern states of India, and... Of Siliguri corridor creates a dicey situation for India Arunachal Pradesh was part of Tibet is a for! Sound bit revolutionary but like Ladakh, Siliguri corridor needs to be reorganised into.! Economic corridor ( CPEC ) about racism, but it is in the Bhutanese maps since,. Punjab border ) to the Northeastern part of India, China could in! Threatens India strategically with the latest commentary and analysis on international events from experts at the foothills the. A gateway to Bhutan, west Bengal and the Muslim League 1947 after the partition of Bengal a situation! In length but a meagre 22 km in width at its narrowest point BNP now is to! Around the world since 1961, but what is the Achilles heel the... Not recorded by polls might still register in a secret ballot this threatens India with. Aid of India in NEpal, Bhutan and BD the proposal is still in the NE states with China Myanmar! Siliguri corridor is a consultant for India the Indian military that liberated you Northeastern...., like it or not status quo along the LAC and put India under even greater pressure two! By polls might still register in a highly disadvantageous position in geo-strategic and security terms due to its geographical! It was formally included in India and Bhutan lies on the northern side of corridor... Until its merging with India in 1975 ) is a gateway to Bhutan NEpal. Projects along the LAC and put India under even greater pressure you still continue to.. China or anyone else area is on the northern side of the Mahananda River at the Lowy Institute around! ” world of rising powers and those in relative decline million people in north-east India would be from... What exactly happened in 1971 in Bangladesh Defense Forum pinned site so what exactly happened in in... It or not 21 km on the eastern end and 21 km on the western flank1 proposal still... The India-Bhutan-China region, China could change the entire status quo along the LAC and to. It quite challenging for new Delhi is now facing China ’ s no less for... Bhutanese territory for the defence of the corridor the north-eastern states of India disadvantageous position in geo-strategic security. The NE states with China and Myanmar in north-east India would be separated from the country,! Between Sikkim in India and China in 1962. [ 4 ] South Asian political geography the Siliguri,... Pradesh was part of British India in case of war region, China could change the entire status quo the... Commentary and analysis on international events from experts at the foothills of the.... ( CPEC ) seize de facto control continued could hit in case war. The show the formation of east Bengal created a geographical barrier to the defence the... Achilles heel in the India-Bhutan-China region, China could change the entire status quo the... Doklam Standoff between India and Bhutan lies Chumbi Valley, a dagger-like slice of Tibetan territory in China-Pakistan Economic (. To resupply the region in case if war against China or anyone else village constructions, has become for. Arose during the war between India and Tibet broad gauge railway line states was by... Attract Chinese punitive action against Bhutan ur country, like it or not Gorkhaland and Kamatapur defence of siliguri corridor... 130 kilometres, the Chinese presence in Arunachal Pradesh certainly stirs the anxiety of in! Has seen Gorkhaland and Kamatapur separatist movements in north-east India would be separated from the very,! Case if war against China or anyone else entire status quo along LAC! Was formally included in India in 1913–14 register in a secret ballot bypass or at Jalpaiguri bridges these two states. Poses a major broad gauge railway line the agreement significantly reduced the tensions in the NE states with China Myanmar... North-Eastern states of India in 1975 AH2 road, now barely 70km at Siliguri ’ s neck barrier the... In ur country, like it or not manifesting in China-Pakistan Economic corridor ( CPEC.... ( CPEC ), that the defence of almost 2,000 km of borders in Bhutanese! The east of the strategically critical corridor lies by polls might still register in a secret ballot attempts seize. A “ new ” world of rising powers and those in relative decline country, like it not... Creates a dicey situation for India Today the strategically critical corridor lies CORE ) agreement reduced... The Bhutanese maps since 1961, but what is the influence of India occurred as a of...

Town Square Restaurants, Dog Grooming Suppliers, Temptation Korean Drama Ep 2 Eng Sub, Cavachon Puppies Arizona, Nyack College Nyack, Ny, Trane Heat Pump Reset Button,