Dhaka: A delegation of Chinese officials has recently visited Bangladesh. The purpose of this visit was to inspect the airbase being built in Lalmonirhat in Bangladesh. This base is close to the Siliguri Corridor, called Chicken Neck of India. Indian agencies have informed about this visit of the Chinese delegation on the basis of intelligence information. Apart from this base, the Chinese delegation has visited many areas near the Indian border, especially Chicken Neck.
According to the Assam Tribune, the Yunus government of Bangladesh was seeking help from China to build an airport in Lalmonirhat. This base is from the time of World War II but is currently in bad condition. This is in Rangpur division, which is just 20 kilometers away from the Indian border. Information about this project came to light in March this year. Since then, India's concern over security has increased. Such statements have come from Mohammad Yunus government on the Siliguri corridor connecting Northeast India to Delhi, which increase the concern.
Indian government keeping an eye
Government sources say that Indian agencies are keeping an eye on the activities happening at this airport in Bangladesh. The agencies are keeping an eye on whether the airport is being rebuilt for the common people, training will be done or fighter planes will be kept here. India is also paying attention to whether the Bangladesh government will allow China and Pakistan to use this base. Defense officials say that Bangladesh has the right to develop airspace for its security but it should not be used against India.
If the Air Force of Pakistan or China gets access to this base in Bangladesh, then it can definitely increase India's concern. Pakistan has earlier also plotted unrest in the Northeast through Bangladesh. Referring to the India-China dispute in Doklam, officials said that the concern is that this airport can be used as a center to monitor India's military activities and gather intelligence in times of war. It is not yet clear what plans Dhaka has made regarding this airport.
Why is Siliguri Corridor important?
Siliguri Corridor connects the states of the Northeast with other parts of India. Due to the presence of China-Bangladesh near the Northeast, India also has a strong military presence in this region. The Indian Army's Tri Shakti Corps is headquartered near Siliguri. Hasimara Air Base in the corridor has squadrons of Rafale aircraft. Apart from this, Lalmonirhat Airport is within the range of India's artillery.
Defense relations between Dhaka and Beijing are deepening since the coming of Mohammad Yunus' government in Bangladesh. China is supplying arms to Bangladesh in large quantities and is helping in building military infrastructure in Bangladesh. Pakistan's presence has also increased in Bangladesh in recent months. In such a situation, India's security concerns are deepening.
