Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a sharp rebuttal to recent comments made by Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, who, during an interaction in China, described India’s northeastern region as “landlocked” and claimed that “we [Bangladesh] are the guardians of the ocean.”
The remarks, made in March 2025, referred to the strategic Siliguri Corridor—commonly known as the “Chicken Neck”—a narrow strip of land in West Bengal that connects the rest of India with its northeastern states. This corridor has long been considered a critical but vulnerable point in India’s geopolitical landscape.
Md. Yunus, along with some former Bangladeshi military officers, also hinted at taking strategic control over the Siliguri Corridor, causing concern among Indian security analysts and policymakers.
In a strongly worded post on social media, CM Sarma reminded Bangladesh of its own geographical vulnerabilities, highlighting that the neighbouring country has not one, but two “chicken necks” of its own—both significantly more fragile than India’s.
“To those who habitually threaten India on the ‘Chicken Neck Corridor’, they should note these facts as well,” Sarma wrote.
He listed two narrow corridors within Bangladesh:
The 80-km North Bangladesh Corridor – Stretching from Dakhin Dinajpur to South West Garo Hills, this narrow stretch serves as a vital connection. Any disruption here could potentially isolate Bangladesh’s entire Rangpur division from the rest of the country.
The 28-km Chittagong Corridor – This thin link from South Tripura to the Bay of Bengal connects Bangladesh’s economic hub Chittagong with its political capital Dhaka. Sarma pointed out that this corridor is even smaller than India’s Siliguri Corridor, yet it supports a more critical axis of Bangladesh’s infrastructure and economy.
“I am only presenting geographical facts that some may tend to forget,” Sarma noted in his post. “Just like India’s Siliguri Corridor, our neighbouring country is also embedded with two narrow corridors of theirs.”
Strategic undertones:
The timing of the CM’s remarks is significant. India has been strengthening its connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast, including alternative routes through Myanmar under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. These developments reduce the region’s reliance on the Siliguri Corridor and counter perceptions of its so-called “landlocked” status.
The comments by Md. Yunus have sparked diplomatic unease, especially as Bangladesh undergoes internal political transition and increasing influence from China. The Indian government has been closely monitoring the rhetoric coming out of Dhaka and its strategic implications.
CM Sarma’s response, while rooted in geography, carries a clear geopolitical message: India is aware of its vulnerabilities—but so is Bangladesh. And any provocative narrative that seeks to challenge India’s sovereignty or regional integrity will be met with facts and counterstrategies.
