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India.com
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Yunus Working Hand In Glove With China To Revive Bangladesh Airbase Near Siliguri Corridor, Warn Experts
The reactivation of Lalmonirhat air base, reportedly for Chinese use, by Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has prompted serious concerns over region's security, several experts have highlighted. Built in 1931 by the British and used briefly during the Second World War, the airbase in Rangpur division was largely inactive until the 1950s. Located just 20 km away from the Indian border and not very far from the Siliguri corridor, or the 'Chicken's Neck', it was used as a forward airbase for operations in Myanmar, then Burma, and other countries in South East Asia. In 2019, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the setting up of a Bangladesh Aerospace and Aviation University at the airbase, which is now operational under the Bangladesh Air Force. However, under Yunus's leadership, the project appears to be shifting toward restoring full aerial operations with increased Chinese engagement, thus drawing serious scrutiny from the Indian security agencies. Reliable sources have confirmed that Chinese officials have visited the Lalmonirhat airbase after Yunus, during his trip to China earlier this year, asked Beijing to develop a civilian airport there. Experts reckon that the airbase might become a "comprehensive air operations centre," providing support to Chinese air power close to Indo-Bangla border and through the rapid signal acquisition and data processing, China will get real-time access to India's military as well as civilian activities in the Siliguri Corridor. However, while addressing the media at an event on Sunday, a top Bangladeshi Army officer denied reports of any Chinese involvement at the airbase. "The airport is being revived to support national needs, including the Aerospace University. I have no information about Chinese involvement. Rest assured, no foreign entity will be allowed to operate in a way that harms our security or national interest." Brig Gen Nazim-ud-Daula was quoted as saying by Bangladeshi media. During his China visit, Yunus had also referred to India's northeast as "landlocked" and described Bangladesh as the region's "only guardian of the ocean". Yunus's remarks had invited massive criticism from India, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had described the comments as "offensive and strongly condemnable". Sarma on Sunday (May 25) again took to social media, saying that those who "habitually threaten" India on the 'chicken neck corridor' should note that Bangladesh has two such narrow strips of land, which are "far more vulnerable". "First is the 80 Km North Bangladesh Corridor- from Dakhin Dinajpur to South West Garo Hills. Any disruption here can completely isolate the entire Rangpur division from the rest of Bangladesh. Second is the 28 km Chittagong Corridor, from South Tripura till the Bay of Bengal. This corridor, smaller than India's chicken neck, is the only link between Bangladesh's economic capital and political capital," Sarma had posted on X. "I am only presenting geographical facts that some may tend to forget. Just like India's Siliguri Corridor, our neighbouring country is also embedded with two narrow corridors of theirs," he added.
News18
19-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Why Is China Trying To Revive World War II-Era Airbase Near India-Bangladesh Border?
Last Updated: Chinese presence in the Lalmonirhat airbase in Bangladesh, close to the Siliguri Corridor connecting India's northeast, could increase New Delhi's strategic vulnerability Chinese officials reportedly visiting a World War II-era airbase in Bangladesh near the Siliguri corridor has been drawing attention. The Lalmonirhat airfield is just 12-15 km away from the India border, and is controlled by the Bangladesh Air Force. The airbase has remained inactive for decades, and lies only 135 km away from the Siliguri Corridor also known as the 'Chicken's Neck', connecting Northeast to the rest of the country. Although the purpose of Chinese presence so close to this passage is unclear, but the development could increase India's strategic vulnerability. What Is The Legacy Of Lalmonirhat Airbase? Built as a military base in 1931 by the British government, Lalmonirhat airbase was used by allied forces during the World War II as a forward airbase for its operations on the eastern front. After Partition, Pakistan briefly reopened it in 1958 for civilian use. Since then, it has been largely abandoned, despite its sprawling 1,166 acres and facilities including a 4-km runway and large tarmac. During the tenure of Sheikh Hasina government in 2019, a plot in the base was given to Bangladesh Aerospace and Aviation University there, which is now operational under the Bangladesh Air Force. More recently, the interim administration led by Mohammed Yunus has proposed reviving Lalmonirhat and five other British-era airports to boost the economy. The other airports include Ishwardi, Thakurgaon, Shamshernagar, Comilla, and Bogra. He brought the matter during his visit to China last month, when he made the controversial remarks saying that Bangladesh is the only guardian of the ocean for the entire region including the northeast of India. The security of Chicken's Neck Corridor, which is just 22 km wide and connects eight Northeastern states to the mainland, is vital due to potential Chinese involvement in developing the airbase. This could enable Chinese to keep an eye on Indian military movements or gather intelligence near the Siliguri Corridor, said Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at OP Jindal Global University, as reported by The Times of India. Thus, any threat to the corridor could have a destabilising effect on India's access to its North-eastern region, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim. China's Growing Military & Economic Interests In Bangladesh China is not just trying to establish footprint in Bangladesh militarily, but also through economic projects. Reports suggest that Chinese companies are building factories and a solar power plant near Rangpur, planning a satellite city. As per a Dhaka-based journalist, who refuses to reveal his name, told TOI that these factories are operated almost entirely by Chinese personnel, with not much involvement from local workers. Besides, China remains a key supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh. Deepening defence ties between Dhaka and Beijing under the current regime has been a major concern for India as a neighbour. Kalpit Mankikar, a fellow of China-Taiwan Studies at the Observer Research Foundation, stated to TOI, 'One thing is China has definite plans for that region. All this while those plans may have been dormant because [deposed Bangladesh PM] Sheikh Hasina was more accommodative towards India's interests. Now, with the regime change and Mohammed Yunus' open offer that Bangladesh can serve as a fountainhead against India, China would definitely be tempted to take up the offer [the airport project]." He added, 'We don't know yet what are China's plans for the project. But this could be used to monitor civilian and military movement to Northeast from the rest of India and vice versa." How Pakistan Is Involved Reports suggest that the work on the airport is likely to start in October, and China will engage a Pakistani company as the sub-contractor for the work. Before Chinese officials visited Lalmonirhat, a Pakistani military-intelligence delegation inspected some border areas of Bangladesh. Indian agencies are watching whether the air base would be used for civilian purposes, training or to deploy military aircraft. 'We need to see if Bangladesh will allow other countries like China and Pakistan to use it. Bangladesh has the right to develop air fields for their security reasons, but that should not be used against India," defence officials said, as per the Assam Tribune report. Historically, the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, had close links with armed separatist groups in India's Northeast, many operating from Bangladesh until a crackdown launched by the Awami League government in 2009. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : chinese military india-bangladesh border Muhammad Yunus News18 Explains Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 19, 2025, 16:04 IST News explainers Why Is China Trying To Revive World War II-Era Airbase Near India-Bangladesh Border?
