Well, We all know how important the Siliguri corridor for India is and why this corridor always asks the Indian government to keep their eyes on it
Intro: Well, the siliguri corridor is one of the important corridors for India. This corridor brings the highest point of connectivity from mainland India to North Eastern states.
During the tensions with China, China always try to put their strong arms on the Siliguri corridor so that they can pressurise India to remove their army from other disputed territory.
Therefore, India always try to strengthen their military presence in the siliguri regions.
Currently, Indian Assam regiment, BSF and local police petrol the region on top most priority for security purposes.
China’s eyes: From the past few months, It has been noticed that the China’s Army has been mobilized so far in the Doklam region. Bhutan asked India’s help to push them back from the region as petroling is strictly not allowed.
Doklam is a disputed region between China and Bhutan. Bhutan claims this region as their part and gets full support from India.
Strategically, India also does not want to let China enter this region because this region allows the China military to keep their eyes on the siliguri corridor which is almost 100km away.
This is how China wants to keep the Indian government under pressure always.
India on Siliguri: India had tried their best to keep the region stabilized and under control of the central government. India has increased the deployment of the army as well.
A few years ago, India had signed a deal with Russia for delivering 5 S-409 missile defence system. India had decided to deploy 1 unit S-400 at Siliguri corridor. S-400 will help India to defend the region from any surface to surface or Air to surface missiles attack expecting from China.
Alternative option to North East: India is currently holding the strong position in siliguri corridor.
But simultaneously, India had tried to figure out other alternative options to keep the connectivity maintain through other routes. India had supplied many essential supplies to North East via Bangladesh. Bangladesh played an important role for maintaining India’s connectivity with their 7 sisters.
Under India’s far East policy, India had taken the help of Myanmar for supplying food and essentials via sea route. This project is known as Kaladan project. India supplies essentials via port
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee port (Kolkata) to Sittwe port (Myanmar).
India north East connectivity via Bangladesh and India North East connectivity via Myanmar are not secure. It has been difficult for India to rely on these alternative options. Because recently, India had viewed the changing stance of Bangladesh after the military coup. The current Bangladesh’s interim government holds an Anti-India position. Simultaneously, Sanctioned Myanmar also came under the influence of China after huge receiving from them.
These two alternatives used to reduce the costs in connecting India to North East.
Figuring out other options: Well, India’s top most priority should always remains it’s strong holding at Siliguri. But still, having alternative options can’t be a problem.
There are two more alternatives for maintaining the second highest point of connectivity with North East.
- Underground Tunnel Network: India should explore building a Underground Tunnel through strategic locations. This will enhancing connectivity will less vulnerability. India should soon start working on the project.
Underground Tunnel was the concept mainly seen during world war 2. And in recent times, Israel also exposed the tunnel connectivity of HAMAS in entire Gaza.
India Nepal Bhutan connectivity: India should start building up a high altitude highway or rail routes. This route will be going from Far North East point of Bihar to Assam via two stretagic locations. The routes must be including the north eastern part of Nepal, going ahead to Sikkim then Bhutan and eventually Assam.
This route will be helpful to attract more tourists at this region.
India should initiate talks with both countries Nepal and Bhutan.