There has been reports that China is planning to expand its model villages to the Line of Actual Control(LAC), including Chumbi Valley which lies strategically crucial to Siliguri Corridor.
New Delhi, India – A debate about border security and the Siliguri Corridor has resurfaced amid Indo-China border tensions and the Tawang clash. According to some reports, China is expanding its model village network near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), including in the Chumbi valley, which borders the strategically important Siliguri corridor.
- Tensions are arising in the northeast region of India’s border.
- India and China share 88 percent of the border internationally in that region.
- There has been war,immigration,NRC and China’s border expansion have sparked tensions in the region.
Where is Siliguri Corridor?
- Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck is a 17km wide stretch located in North Bengal,it falls under Darjeeling District.
- It is the main junction point for entry into the Northeast states.
- It is connected to 3 neighbouring countries Nepal, Banglasdesh and Bhutan.
- It leads to beautiful tourist destinations like Darjeeling , Sikkim and other Northeast states.
The Siliguri Corridor is one of the most strategically important and vulnerable region. The BSF, Indo-China Border Police and even Assam Rifles have been guarding the area for India.
What is the Importance of Siliguri Corridor ?
- Siliguri is the main junction point with significant road and rail network that connect Western India to Northeast States.
- It has become very vulnerable since Bengal’s Partition and the formation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Strategically, the rail networks in Chicken’s neck provide Indian armed forces with access to the LAC. The New Jalpaiguri railway station, which connects the three major military formations located opposite China, sprouts various rail links. A rail link connects the NJP station to Guwahati, and from there, a road network connects to the strategically important town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
