• Source:JND
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Chicken's Neck Of India:  The 'Chicken's Neck' is Indian territory, which is referred to as the Siliguri Corridor, which is a narrow strip of land in northern West Bengal near the town of Siliguri in the Darjeeling district. This corridor is not more than 20 to 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and is the only land connecting mainland India and India's eight northeastern states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura. One of its borders touches Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the north, and Bangladesh to its south and east. The place has its precarious geopolitical position, which also makes this location very strategic.

Geopolitical Importance Of Siliguri Corridor:

Siliguri Corridor has been regarded to be the main vulnerability in the Indian national security setup, popularly known as India's 'Achilles' heel'. Additionally, the neck-shaped land bridge is important in introducing troops, supplies, and goods into the northeast. The major concern is that a blockade or war of any kind can cut the northeastern states off instantaneously, leaving nearly 45 million Indians stranded and jeopardising national integration.

Its proximity to the vulnerable Chumbi Valley (where China has established a significant military base), as well as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh borders, makes it more strategic. China's growing clout in Bangladesh and infrastructure growth in the area surrounding the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction fueled security concerns.

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It is also important to know that in times of crisis, the corridor is also significantly important for the transportation of troops and defence supplies, which makes it important for India to invest in good railways, roads, and defence infrastructure in the area.

Historical Significance Of Siliguri Corridor:

The place has this strategic significance since the 1947 Partition, which is all about the link between Northeast India and the mainland with just a thin strip of land. The Chicken’s Neck’s strategic significance has always been a concern during conflicts, which points to India’s urgent need to protect the corridor.

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Concludingly, the Chicken's Neck of India is important in terms of connectivity of India with eastern states, national security, and the defence mechanism of the country. It's not just a bridge but could be a potential pressure point, and it is one of the key factors influencing India's strategic policies.