In a bold and attention-grabbing statement Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sparked a geopolitical stir.
By claiming that Bangladesh has not one but two critical land corridors known as chicken necks and both are more fragile than India’s own strategic Siliguri Corridor. On Sunday May 25 Sarma made the claim in a post on X formerly known as Twitter where he warned
“Those who regularly issue threats regarding India’s Chicken Neck corridor should remember that Bangladesh also has two such corridors and both are far more fragile.”
What Exactly Is a Chicken Neck
To most people chicken neck may sound like something from a recipe but in international relations it’s a metaphor for narrow vulnerable corridors of land that hold strategic value. These corridors can make or break regional connectivity and can become hotspots in times of conflict.
India’s famous example is the Siliguri Corridor a narrow stretch only 20 to 22 kilometers wide that connects the country’s northeastern states to the mainland. Surrounded by Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh and China it is a sensitive and vital link.
Sarma’s Alarming Claim About Bangladesh
According to Himanta Biswa Sarma Bangladesh has two similar corridors and both are even more exposed to potential disruption than India’s.
-
The Northern Corridor
This corridor is approximately 80 kilometers long stretching from South Dinajpur in India to the southwestern Garo Hills in Bangladesh.
Sarma warned that if this route is disrupted the Rangpur Division in northern Bangladesh could be entirely cut off from the rest of the country. This would be not only a logistical crisis but also a humanitarian and economic one. -
The Chattogram Corridor
The second is a 28 kilometer long passage connecting southern Tripura in India to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh’s Chattogram region.
Sarma emphasized that this route is even more sensitive than India’s Siliguri Corridor due to its narrower structure and higher strategic exposure.
Read More: “Please Resign!” – Rehana Held Hasina’s Feet on August 5
A Sharp Warning to Bangladesh
Just a few days earlier on May 22 during a press conference Sarma issued a direct message
“Don’t forget you also have two Chicken Necks. If you eye or attack ours India will target yours.”
His words were blunt and pointed. It was a clear message that any hostility toward India’s vulnerable corridor could invite retaliatory consequences.
Why This Statement Is Causing Buzz
The idea of chicken necks isn’t new but the aggressive tone from a high-ranking Indian politician puts the spotlight on a rarely discussed vulnerability in Bangladesh. It also flips the usual narrative that sees only India’s northeastern region as strategically at risk.
Sarma’s remarks highlight that threats in geopolitics are never one sided. While the Siliguri Corridor has long been seen as India’s weak point the existence of fragile corridors in Bangladesh means that the country too has to tread carefully.
The Bigger Picture Behind the Map
India and Bangladesh share more than just borders. With over 4000 kilometers of shared frontier the two nations have deep social economic and political ties. Yet there are long-standing frictions over water disputes migration border fencing and trade barriers.
Sarma’s comments add a new layer to these tensions reminding both sides of their respective vulnerabilities and interdependence. The warning is not just strategic it is symbolic. He is effectively saying that in the modern age of regional power play one must not forget that others also have soft spots. And targeting someone’s weakness may lead to yours being exposed in return.
