Description

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Context

Bangladesh outreach to China for river conservation, port modernization & economic projects comes amid strained India-Bangladesh ties with New Delhi wary of Beijing growing strategic influence in region.

Chicken’s Neck Corridor (Siliguri Corridor)

Parameter	Details
Location	Situated in northern West Bengal, India
Geographical Extent	Approximately 60 km long & varies between 17 to 22 km wide
Significance	The only land route connecting India's mainland to Northeastern states
Borders	Nepal to west Bhutan to north Bangladesh to south
Strategic Importance	Ensures connectivity to Seven Sisters (Northeast India) Acts as a lifeline for transportation of goods, troops & logistics Protects India’s territorial integrity in Northeast
States Connected	West Bengal (Mainland India) Assam Arunachal Pradesh Nagaland Manipur Mizoram Tripura Meghalaya
Major Cities & Towns	Siliguri (Commercial hub) Jalpaiguri Darjeeling Alipurduar
Infrastructure & Connectivity	National Highway-27 (NH-27) (Main highway connecting Northeast) National Highway-10 (NH-10) (Siliguri-Gangtok highway) Bagdogra Airport (Major airport for Northeast access) New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (Key railway junction)
Security Concerns	Extremely narrow & vulnerable to blockade during conflict Proximity to China’s Chumbi Valley (near Doklam, Bhutan) Presence of Bangladesh makes movement sensitive Insurgency-prone Northeastern states depend on this corridor Smuggling & illegal migration concerns
Geopolitical Threats	China’s Chumbi Valley proximity poses a military threat Bangladesh-China projects like Teesta river conservation could increase Chinese presence near corridor India fears a two-front challenge if China & Bangladesh collaborate in security matters
Economic Importance	Trade corridor for India-Nepal, India-Bhutan & India-Bangladesh Gateway for Northeastern India’s trade with rest of country Tea, timber & agricultural goods trade hub
Past Conflicts & Issues	1962 Sino-Indian War: India’s concern about defending corridor heightened Doklam Standoff (2017): Chinese military activity near tri-junction alarmed India Bangladesh Liberation War (1971): Used for Indian troop movements against Pakistan
Current Developments	India working on alternative connectivity routes via Assam, Mizoram & Arunachal Pradesh China’s investments in Bangladesh (Mongla & Chittagong ports) monitored closely Indian military reinforcing defenses in corridor
Challenges	Too narrow, making it easy to cut off Dependence on a single route Potential security threats from China & Bangladesh Frequent traffic congestion & infrastructure stress
Mitigation Strategies	North East Industrial Corridor project Improving border road infrastructure (BRO projects) Encouraging alternative supply routes through Assam & Arunachal Pradesh Diplomatic efforts with Bangladesh & Bhutan for regional security cooperation

Teesta River

Parameter	Details
Origin	Tso Lhamo Lake, Sikkim, India (Eastern Himalayas, near India-China border)
Length	414 km (India: 309 km, Bangladesh: 105 km)
Drainage Basin Area	12,159 sq km (India: ~10,155 sq km, Bangladesh: ~2,004 sq km)
States & Countries Flowing Through	India: Sikkim, West Bengal Bangladesh
Tributaries (Major)	Left Bank: Lhonak Chu, Lachung Chu, Rangpo Chu Right Bank: Talung Chu, Relli River
Major Cities Along River	India: Lachen, Mangan, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar Bangladesh: Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha
Mouth (Endpoint)	Brahmaputra River (Jamuna River) in Bangladesh
Hydroelectric Projects	India: Teesta Stage I-VI (Sikkim), Teesta Barrage (West Bengal) Bangladesh: Teesta Barrage Irrigation Project
Importance	Irrigation: Supports agriculture in Sikkim, North Bengal & northern Bangladesh Hydropower: Major energy source in Sikkim Drinking Water: Key water source for Northeast India & Bangladesh Navigation & Trade: Historically important for river transport
Teesta Water Dispute	Between India & Bangladesh Bangladesh demands 50% share of Teesta’s water West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee opposes water-sharing, fearing scarcity in North Bengal India proposed an agreement, but it remains stalled
China's Role	Bangladesh seeking Chinese investment for Teesta River conservation India wary of Chinese presence near Chicken’s Neck Corridor
Flood & Erosion Issues	Frequent flooding in North Bengal & Bangladesh High siltation leads to riverbed rising Glacial retreat due to climate change affecting flow
Climate Change Impact	Glacial melting in Himalayas altering water availability Unpredictable monsoon patterns causing extreme floods & droughts
Conservation & Management Efforts	India: River linking project proposal, flood management plans Bangladesh: Seeking international aid & investment for restoration projects
Current Geopolitical Concerns	India fears Chinese involvement in Teesta conservation will expand China’s influence in Bangladesh Bangladesh balancing ties between India & China for economic & water security
Proposed Solutions	Tripartite water-sharing agreement (India-Bangladesh-Nepal) Joint flood & sediment control mechanisms Diplomatic efforts to resolve dispute

India-Bangladesh Relations

Aspect	Details
Historical Ties	India supported Bangladesh’s Liberation War (1971) against Pakistan. Mukti Bahini trained by India; Indo-Bangladesh ties strengthened post-independence.
Political Relations	Strong diplomatic ties, but occasional tensions over border & water-sharing issues. Regular high-level visits (PM Modi & Sheikh Hasina). India supports Bangladesh’s democratic transition & development.
Economic Relations	India is Bangladesh’s second-largest trade partner. Bilateral trade: Over $16 billion (2023-24). India offers duty-free access to Bangladesh exports under SAFTA.
Major Trade Exports from India	Cotton & textiles, machinery, petroleum products, transport equipment, agricultural products.
Major Trade Imports from Bangladesh	Readymade garments, textiles, jute products, leather goods, pharmaceuticals.
Connectivity & Transport	Rail links: Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express, Bandhan Express, Mitali Express. Road links: Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala, bus services for passengers. Waterways: Protocol on Inland Water Transit & Trade (PIWTT) for cargo movement. Chittagong & Mongla Ports: Bangladesh allowed India access for transporting goods.
Defence & Security Cooperation	Joint military exercises: SAMPRITI (Army), COAST GUARD drills. India provides military training & defence equipment to Bangladesh. Cooperation on counterterrorism & border security.
Border & Immigration Issues	4,096 km long border, world’s fifth-longest land border. BSF-BGB coordination to curb illegal migration & smuggling. Fencing, border trade posts & visa relaxation efforts ongoing.
Water-Sharing Agreements	Ganga Water Treaty (1996): Agreement on Ganga river flow sharing. Teesta Water Dispute: No resolution due to West Bengal’s concerns. Several other transboundary rivers need formal agreements.
Energy Cooperation	India supplies 1160 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFP): Supplies diesel. Renewable energy & cross-border grid projects under discussion.
Chinese Influence in Bangladesh	China is Bangladesh’s largest trade partner & major infrastructure investor. China is building a submarine base in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar & rail, road & power projects. India concerned over Teesta River conservation deal with China.
Recent Developments	Bangladesh invited Chinese investment in Teesta River project. India’s concerns over security threats near Chicken’s Neck Corridor. Rising tensions due to political changes & alleged persecution of minorities.
Cultural & People-to-People Ties	Common heritage: Language, food, festivals. Bilateral scholarships & academic collaborations. Visa liberalization for medical, business & tourism purposes.
Geopolitical Concerns	Bangladesh balancing ties between India & China. Political instability & religious extremism in Bangladesh can impact India. India closely monitoring China’s economic & defence cooperation with Bangladesh.
Future Prospects	Resolution of Teesta water-sharing to improve ties. Expanding economic, defence & connectivity partnerships. India to counterbalance China’s growing influence through strategic investments.