Assam CM Sarma warns Bangladesh of its own strategic vulnerabilities, identifying two fragile ‘chicken neck’ corridors more susceptible than India’s Siliguri Corridor.
In a sharp rebuttal to frequent discussions around India’s strategic vulnerabilities, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has drawn attention to Bangladesh’s own fragile geographical chokepoints. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sarma asserted that Bangladesh possesses not one, but two “chicken neck” corridors—both of which are even more vulnerable than India’s much-discussed Siliguri Corridor.
The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as India’s “chicken neck”, is a narrow 22-kilometre-wide stretch of land that connects the Indian mainland to the country’s northeastern states. This corridor is critical for India’s strategic, economic, and security considerations and is often viewed as a potential target during conflicts.
In a direct message to those who frequently highlight India’s strategic weaknesses, Sarma said, “To those who habitually threaten India on the ‘Chicken Neck Corridor’, they should note these facts as well.”
Sarma elaborated on what he described as Bangladesh’s own geographical vulnerabilities. He highlighted the North Bangladesh Corridor, an 80-kilometre-long strip that stretches from Dakhin Dinajpur (in India’s West Bengal) to South West Garo Hills (in Meghalaya). According to him, any disturbance in this region could sever the Rangpur division—one of Bangladesh’s major administrative zones—from the rest of the country, resulting in a severe national security and connectivity crisis for Dhaka.
Equally significant, Sarma pointed out, is the Chittagong Corridor. This narrow land strip connects Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, with Chittagong, the country’s main port city and economic hub. This corridor runs between South Tripura (India) and the Bay of Bengal. “This corridor, smaller than India’s chicken neck, is the only link between Bangladesh’s economic capital and political capital,” he emphasized.
The Assam CM insisted that he was merely stating geographical facts that are often overlooked in strategic conversations. “I am only presenting geographical facts that some may tend to forget,” he said, suggesting that Bangladesh’s focus on India’s vulnerabilities lacks balance.
In a more aggressive tone, Sarma warned, “We have one chicken’s neck. But Bangladesh has two. If Bangladesh attacks our chicken’s neck, we will attack both of theirs… the one in Meghalaya connecting Chittagong port is even thinner than India’s and is just a stone’s throw away.”
He further reminded Bangladesh of India’s military capabilities, citing Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces targeted terror camps deep inside Pakistan. He added a provocative remark: “Bangladesh has to be reborn 14 times before attacking India.”
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Sarma’s remarks have already begun to stir diplomatic and strategic discussions in the region. His statements come amid Dhaka’s increasing interest in the Siliguri Corridor, which has been a topic of political and strategic debate in South Asia.
With regional geopolitics in flux, Sarma’s comments are likely to fuel further discourse on the balance of power and vulnerabilities in the subcontinent.
