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The article delves into the growing concerns surrounding China's potential involvement in the redevelopment of a dormant World War II-era airbase in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh, situated close to India's strategically vital Siliguri Corridor. This development has triggered alarm bells within Indian defense and strategic circles, who are closely monitoring the situation, questioning whether the project is purely for civilian purposes or if it carries long-term military implications. The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” is a narrow strip of land that connects India's northeastern states to the rest of the country, making it a crucial lifeline for the region. Any threat to this corridor could significantly impact India's access to its northeastern territories, which include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. The airbase's proximity to this sensitive area, coupled with China's increasing influence in Bangladesh, has heightened anxieties in New Delhi. The article traces the history of the Lalmonirhat airbase, which was originally built in 1931 by the British and played a significant role during World War II as a forward base for Allied operations in Southeast Asia. After the Partition, the airbase was briefly reactivated by Pakistan for civilian use before falling into disuse for several decades. It is currently under the control of the Bangladesh Air Force and is one of nine official air bases in the country. In 2019, the Bangladesh government proposed the establishment of an aviation and aerospace university at the site. More recently, the interim government has initiated a broader plan to revive six British-era airports, including Lalmonirhat, as part of an economic development push. However, it is the potential Chinese involvement in the redevelopment of Lalmonirhat that has raised the most significant concerns in India. Reports suggest that Chinese officials have visited the site, and there is growing activity around the airfield, prompting speculation about China's intentions. The article cites Sriparna Pathak, a professor of China Studies at OP Jindal Global University, who suggests that the airbase could be used by China to monitor Indian military movements or gather intelligence near the Siliguri Corridor. The article also highlights the fact that Chinese companies have significantly expanded their footprint in northern Bangladesh, with projects near Rangpur, close to Lalmonirhat, including manufacturing units, a solar power facility, and a proposed satellite city. These projects are reportedly operated almost entirely by Chinese personnel, with minimal involvement from local workers. Furthermore, China remains a key supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh, and deepening defence ties between Dhaka and Beijing have contributed to Indian concerns over the long-term strategic orientation of its neighbour. The article notes that Pakistan's military and intelligence representatives have also visited sites along the Bangladesh border prior to the Chinese delegation's arrival. This has drawn particular scrutiny given Pakistan’s historic involvement with insurgent groups operating in India’s northeast. The article concludes by pointing out that the potential revival of Lalmonirhat fits into a broader pattern of Chinese military enhancement along India's periphery. China has improved infrastructure at several airbases close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 2024, including in Tingri, Lhunze, Burang, Yutian, and Yarkant. These upgrades include extended aprons, hardened shelters, engine testing zones, and drone platforms. The article suggests that these developments indicate a deliberate strategy by China to increase operational reach and readiness in border-adjacent zones, further fueling India's security concerns.
The core of India's apprehension stems from the strategic implications of a potentially dual-use airbase situated so close to the Siliguri Corridor. This narrow strip of land, merely 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, acts as the sole land connection between India's northeastern states and the rest of the country. Its importance cannot be overstated, serving as a vital artery for both civilian and military transport. Any disruption to this corridor, whether through military action or other forms of interference, could have catastrophic consequences for India's ability to maintain control and supply its northeastern territories. The northeastern states, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, are geographically isolated from the rest of India, relying heavily on the Siliguri Corridor for access to essential goods, services, and military support. The region is also characterized by a complex security environment, with ongoing insurgencies and border disputes, making the Siliguri Corridor even more critical for maintaining stability. China's potential presence at Lalmonirhat raises the specter of increased surveillance and potential interdiction capabilities, threatening India's ability to effectively respond to any crisis in the northeast. The possibility that the airbase could be used to monitor Indian military movements or gather intelligence near the Siliguri Corridor is a particularly worrying prospect. Furthermore, the article highlights the growing economic and military ties between China and Bangladesh as a cause for concern. China's increasing investment in infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, particularly in the northern regions close to the Indian border, has raised suspicion about its long-term strategic objectives. China's role as a major supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh, coupled with deepening defence cooperation, has further fueled India's anxieties about the potential for a shift in the regional balance of power. The article also mentions the involvement of Pakistani military and intelligence representatives in visiting sites along the Bangladesh border prior to the Chinese delegation's arrival. This has raised concerns about the potential for collusion between China and Pakistan to undermine India's security interests in the region. Pakistan's historical support for insurgent groups operating in India's northeast makes this a particularly sensitive issue. The article places the concerns surrounding Lalmonirhat within the broader context of China's increasing military activity along India's periphery. The upgrades to Chinese airbases near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), coupled with the deployment of advanced aircraft and drone technology, suggest a deliberate strategy to enhance China's military capabilities in the region. This build-up is seen as a challenge to India's regional dominance and a potential threat to its security interests. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for India to closely monitor the situation in Lalmonirhat and to take appropriate measures to safeguard its strategic interests. This includes strengthening its military presence in the region, enhancing its intelligence gathering capabilities, and engaging in diplomatic efforts to address China's growing influence in Bangladesh.
The Indian response to the developments surrounding the Lalmonirhat airbase is multifaceted, encompassing both defensive and diplomatic strategies. On the defensive front, India has significantly bolstered its military presence in the region, particularly in the vicinity of the Siliguri Corridor. The Trishakti Corps, headquartered near Siliguri, serves as a key component of India's defensive posture, providing a rapid reaction force capable of responding to any threats to the corridor. Furthermore, India has stationed Rafale fighter squadrons at the Hasimara airbase, which lies close to the corridor. This deployment is seen as a critical measure to deter any potential aggression and to ensure India's ability to project air power in the region. The Rafale aircraft, with their advanced capabilities and long-range strike capabilities, provide a significant deterrent against any hostile action. In addition to strengthening its military presence, India has also enhanced its intelligence gathering capabilities in the region. This includes increased surveillance of the Lalmonirhat airbase and other areas of concern along the Bangladesh border. India is closely monitoring the activities of Chinese personnel in Bangladesh and seeking to understand their long-term strategic objectives. Intelligence gathering also extends to monitoring the activities of Pakistani military and intelligence representatives in the region and assessing the potential for collusion with China. On the diplomatic front, India has engaged in discussions with both Bangladesh and China to address its concerns about the developments surrounding the Lalmonirhat airbase. India has sought assurances from Bangladesh that the airbase will not be used for military purposes that could threaten India's security interests. India has also raised its concerns with China about its increasing influence in Bangladesh and its potential implications for regional stability. These diplomatic efforts are aimed at seeking a peaceful resolution to the situation and preventing any escalation of tensions. India's approach to the Lalmonirhat issue is guided by a combination of strategic realism and diplomatic engagement. While India is determined to protect its security interests and to deter any potential aggression, it also recognizes the importance of maintaining good relations with its neighbors and of seeking peaceful solutions to disputes. The situation in Lalmonirhat serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical challenges facing India in the region and the need for a comprehensive and well-coordinated strategy to safeguard its security interests. The ongoing developments highlight the importance of maintaining a strong military presence, enhancing intelligence gathering capabilities, and engaging in proactive diplomacy to address potential threats to India's security and stability.
Source: Is China trying to reopen World War II-era airbase in Bangladesh near India's border?