Anti-India Yunus makes another SHOCKING move as Chinese officials make secret visit near…, concern for India due to…
India-Bangladesh relations: Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, who has established himself as an anti-India figure after coming to the helm of affairs in Dhaka following the ouster of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, has made another belligerent move to antagonize New Delhi as a delegation of Chinese officials recently made a ‘secret’ visit to inspect an under-construction airbase in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh, located close to the strategic Siliguri corridor aka the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ Corridor.
According to media reports citing Indian intelligence agencies, the Chinese delegation also visited several other areas near the Indian border, close to the Chicken’s Neck corridor.
Bangladesh seeks Chinese help to restore Lalmonirhat air base
Earlier, in March this year, information emerged that Bangladesh was seeking help from China to help restore a dilapidated World War II-era airbase in Lalmonirhat, and construct an airport at the location, which lies in Rangpur division, barely 20 km away from the Indian border. The development rang alarm bells in New Delhi, especially after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime started making concerning remarks on the Siliguri Corridor.
According to reports citing government sources, Indian agencies are closely monitoring the developments at the Lalmonirhat airport, and its being determined whether the site is being developed as a public airport or an airbase for training fighter pilots, and storing fighter jets. India is also monitoring whether Bangladesh will allow China and/or Pakistan to use this base, they said.
What is the Chicken’s neck corridor and why is it important?
One of the major concerns for India is Chinese or Pakistani air force gaining access to the Lalmonirhat airbase as it would place the enemy’s warplanes close to the strategic Chicken’s Neck corridor, and can also be used to monitor India’s military activities and gather intelligence during wartime.
The strategic Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor, is a narrow strip of land in West Bengal, that connects the India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country. Due to its strategic importance, and the increasing influence of China and Bangladesh in the northeast, India has bolstered its military presence in the region, with the Indian Army’s Tri Shakti Corps headquartered near Siliguri, while Hasimara Airbase in the corridor has squadrons of Rafale aircraft.
Additionally, the Lalmonirhat Airport comes within the range of India’s artillery, making it an easy target if such a situation arises.
Notably, in January, a delegation of senior officials of the Pakistan Army and ISI had visited Rangpur Division in northern Bangladesh, near the Chicken’s Neck.
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