The Siliguri Corridor is a grave security threat to India. Here's how Communist China can strangle India.
As the Indian and Chinese armies face-off over the construction of a road at Doklam, clashes in Galwan resulted in worsening of relations to an all-time low since 1963. These developments in the bilateral relationship have made both countries vulnerable to aggression amid disputed borders. These geopolitical developments have enhanced the risk of escalation. One of these chokepoints of strategic importance to India is the Siliguri corridor. This piece examines the strategic importance of the Siliguri corridor. India is the seventh-largest country in landmass, but the geography of India is trickier when it comes to the NorthEast part of India. Bangladesh lies between Bengal and North-East states of India. A thin piece of land foothills of the Himalayan region that joins these two parts of India is the Siliguri corridor. This narrow strip of the Siliguri corridor slims down to 17 kilometres at its most undersized. Thereby it is also called Chicken Neck of India. The Siliguri corridor has a population of one lakh (2011 census).
This region has proximity with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. Strong intercultural ties and the presence of porous borders in South Asia better defines the dynamics. Cross border insurgent groups, terror organisations, refugee influx, drugs, crime, human trafficking and arms trade possess risk and makes up a perfect recipe for any grey bull event. Indian internal security issues such as left-wing extremism and insurgency enhance the geostrategic importance of the region. The corridor is notably significant to protect Indian interests and sovereignty, as it operates its rail and road networks towards the North East. Apart from their civilian and trade importance, these are also used to support, sustain and provide real-time assistance to the defence forces and law enforcement agencies posted in the North East. A dysfunction in the Siliguri corridor even - through a natural disaster to a terror attack or protests can be utilised by an adversary to isolate the North East and cut off the supplies and reinforcements entering the region. Thereby controlling or blocking this Chicken neck could be of strategic importance to any adversary. The presence of China forms a crucial bit of the puzzle in case a conflict arises between India and China in the region. No sea route connects the North East to the rest of India as it is land-locked. There are limited capabilities of India to airlift and support in the region. Besides protecting its territory, India also holds brotherly relations with Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Thus this region also becomes of utmost importance in aspects of Global Peace and Stability. The region is of utmost importance for the business continuity of all corporates trading in or out from the northeast as logistics transits happen through the Siliguri Corridor. This region also facilitates Commercial trade with Southeast Asian nations. As there are no feasible alternatives to this logistics, this region becomes of utmost importance for business continuity. A disruption in the Siliguri Corridor may bring some worries in corporate control rooms responsible for safekeeping employees against any adversary. There can be a difficulty in transit of employees on due course of employment or a vacation or for any other reason. These employees could find it challenging to return and business as usual will get affected. Thus the region becomes of importance for corporations as well. To protect Indian interests a significant number of Troops are stationed in the region. India upper grounds in Sikkim and Bhutan that provides extra resilience to India and makes Chinese side vulnerable to shelling. The risk in the region is effectively mitigated through armed forces in the region but with the development of new technologies, it becomes important for Indian armed forces to match the pace by acquiring indigenous technological upgrades that are affordable and reliable.
The Indian government needs to add strategic assets to this region to strike off the geographical imbalances. Usage of UAVs, drones as well as deployment of a Special Siliguri Division adept at guerrilla warfare can alleviate concerns to a certain level of Chinese policies such as the Belt and Road initiative depends upon how the world perceives China. China has worked on changing its identity from an assertive Dragon to a Pragmatic Panda. Most popularly through Xi Jinping in his book mentions Chinese priority to win-win relations amongst partners. China has done everything possible to be not perceived as a threat but, actions speak more than words. Building Artificial Islands at the South China Sea and supporting rogue regimes of the world does that for China in this case.
China holds strong trade relations with India that simply benefits China. Thus it would not be in the benefit of China to sour relations with India. China is a hot target for the USA and its allies globally and any miscalculated step by China gives the USA, Japan and their allies a narrative that backs their actions. An example of a blunderous move will be aggression in the Siliguri Corridor. Indian side and the Chinese side have worked on resolving disputes through diplomatic channels.
For now, though, the Sino-Indian rivalry is not intense enough to start direct warfare. The nation has some time to address this striking choke point.
Suscribe below for more! About the Author: Tanishk Saxena has completed his Masters in International Studies from Symbiosis School of International Studies and has graduated BBA-LLB (Hons.) with a specialisation in Criminal Law. His research interests span Business Continuity Management, Geopolitical Risk Analysis across Globe. He is currently associated with Geopolitik.