Claims to give airbase to China close to India’s ‘chicken neck’, government cleaned in Parliament

New Delhi
Recently, there were reports of re -activating an old airbase in Lalmanirhat district of Bangladesh. It is being said that Bangladesh has planned to start airbase in this sensitive area with China. Now the reaction of the Government of India has come to light on this issue. India, citing the recent statement of the Bangladesh government, has said that there is no plan to use Lalmonirhat Airport for military purposes at present. In response to a written question, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh gave this information in Parliament.

In the question, MP Kaushalendra Kumar had asked whether Bangladesh has allowed China to resume operations at Lalmanirhat Airport, and if yes, it could cause any threat to India’s security. Also, it was also asked whether the Government of India has raised any objection with Bangladesh in this regard. The minister said in response that the Government of India has noticed media reports about Lalmonirhat Airport in Bangladesh and press briefing given by the Director of Military Operations of Bangladesh Army on 26 May 2025. Briefing clarified that there is currently no plan to use Lalmanirhat Airport for military purposes. He further said that the Government of India is monitoring all developments related to national security and taking all necessary steps to ensure its safety. However, it was not clear whether India has filed a formal objection on the issue with Bangladesh.

This place is very sensitive to India
This airbase is very close to India’s strategically important Siliguri Corridor, known as ‘Chicken Nek’. This development has increased India’s security concerns, as the region is the only narrow corridor connecting the mainland of India to the northeastern states.

Lalmanirhat airbase and his strategic importance
Lalmanirhat Airbase is located in Rangpur Division in Bangladesh and is just 12-20 km from the Indo-Bangladesh border and about 135 km from the Siliguri Corridor. The airbase was built by the British in 1931 and was important for the forces of the friendly countries during World War II. Currently it is under the control of Bangladesh Air Force, but has been inactive for several decades. According to recent reports, Mohammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, has sought assistance from China to restart the airbase.

Mohammad Yunus’s visit to China and controversy
During Mohammad Yunus’s visit to China in March, there was a discussion on the launch of this airbase. According to sources, Younus proposed technical and financial assistance to China for the construction of airbase in Lalmanirhat. In addition, some reports claim that a Pakistan company may include a sub-contractor in this project, which has deepened India’s concerns. Yunus, during his visit, described Bangladesh as the ‘only patron’ of the seafood in the region, which India considered objectionable, calling Bangladesh as ‘Land-Locked’.

Why is there a threat to India?
The width of the Siliguri Corridor is only 22 kilometers. This is very important for India’s national security. It connects seven states of the Northeast to the mainland. The presence of China in Lalmanirhat may worsen the military balance in the region. Experts believe that this airbase can be used not only as a military hideout in the future, but also as an intelligence center or diplomatic pressure point. Increasing activities in Bangladesh under China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI), such as the development of Mongla Port and the establishment of Economic Park in Chittagong, are the cause of additional concern for India. In addition, the plan for Bangladesh’s Bayraktar TB2 drone to Türkiye and the purchase of China-Pakistan-made JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft has also increased regional tension.

India’s strategy strong
India has further strengthened the security of the Siliguri Corridor keeping a close watch on this situation. The Indian Army’s Trishakti Core is equipped with Rafale Jet, BrahMos missile, and S-400 missile defense system to protect the region. Recently, India has launched a plan to re -activate the airbase used during the 1971 war in Kailashahar, Tripura, which is seen as a cut of Yunus’s ‘Chinese Plan’.