China is reportedly aiding Bangladesh in reviving an old World War II airbase at Lalmonirhat, just 12-15 kilometres from the Indian border. The airfield, currently controlled by the Bangladesh Air Force but inactive for decades, lies only 135 kilometres from the Siliguri Corridor -India's crucial 'Chicken's Neck' connecting the northeast to the rest of the country. Chinese officials recently visited the site, signalling Beijing's growing interest. Although the precise purpose-civilian or military-is unclear, a Chinese presence so close to this narrow passage could increase India's strategic vulnerability.
Lalmonirhat airbase: A legacy from the past
Originally built by the British in 1931, Lalmonirhat served as a forward base for Allied forces in Southeast Asia during World War II, explains the Kolkata-based Centre for Research in Indo-Bangla Studies. After Partition, Pakistan briefly reopened it in 1958 for civilian use. Since then, it has been largely abandoned, despite its sprawling 1,166 acres and facilities including a four-kilometre runway and large tarmac.
In 2019, Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina government announced plans to develop an aviation and aerospace university there, which is now operational under the Bangladesh Air Force. Recently, the interim administration led by Mohammed Yunus proposed reviving Lalmonirhat and five other British-era airports to boost the economy. The other airports include Ishwardi, Thakurgaon, Shamshernagar, Comilla, and Bogra.
Strategic implications for India's Northeast
The Siliguri Corridor, also known as the 'Chicken's Neck,' is a mere 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.
It connects India's eight northeastern states to the mainland. This corridor's security is vital. "Reports suggest potential Chinese involvement in developing the airbase, possibly as a civilian airport, though fears persist it could serve dual military purposes.This could enable China to monitor Indian military movements or gather intelligence near the [Siliguri] corridor," says Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at OP Jindal Global University, as reported by TΟΙ.