Is Mohammad Yunus plotting something big against India? Alarm in eastern India as potential Chinese Airbase pose threat in…

New Delhi is on high alert following reports of China planning to present an airfield—presumably with military intentions—in Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district, located dangerously end to India’s narrow and highly sensitive Siliguri Hall, moreover diagnosed as the “Chicken’s Neck.” The ride has sparked excessive concerns in India’s security circles, severely after claims emerged that Mohammad Yunus, a senior consultant to Bangladesh’s intervening time government, can have extended an invite to China for relate military cooperation. The pattern is being carefully watched, as it may well in point of fact have predominant implications for India’s national security and regional stability.

In line with a story within the Economic Times, after news of this doable airbase surfaced, Indian agencies began carefully examining related intelligence reports. If one of these conception between China and Bangladesh is certainly underway, it may well pose a excessive field to India’s security—severely along its eastern borders and the susceptible Siliguri corridor.

Whereas there are no legitimate documents yet confirming the airbase, it’s believed that Mohammad Yunus can have mentioned the foundation with Chinese language officers all through his most modern consult with to Beijing.

Lalmonirhat district is strategically located in northwestern Bangladesh, very end to India’s Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts in West Bengal.

Is Mohammad Yunus plotting one thing big towards India?

India’s Siliguri Hall—in overall typically known as the “Chicken’s Neck”—is one amongst basically the most sensitive and strategically crucial regions within the country. This narrow strip of land in West Bengal connects India’s mainland to the northeastern states. It shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and is carefully guarded by the Indian Army attributable to its vulnerability.

Thus some distance, there hasn’t been any confirmed deployment of Chinese language fighter jets end to India’s eastern border. Nonetheless per experts holding an leer on Bangladesh, even a proposal intriguing a Chinese language military presence on this space may well trigger excessive security concerns for India. It can doubtlessly endanger not simply the northeastern states however moreover factors of Sikkim and West Bengal.

What provides gas to the fire is a past controversial assertion made by Mohammad Yunus all through a consult with to Beijing. He reportedly mentioned, “India’s northeastern states—diagnosed as the Seven Sisters—are entirely landlocked. They have not got any relate get entry to to the sea. Bangladesh is truly the most productive gateway to the ocean for this complete location.”

As well, Yunus moreover signed agreements with Chinese language President Xi Jinping to modernize Bangladesh’s Mongla port with Chinese language funding. This venture is rate USD 400 million. China has moreover dedicated one other USD 350 million to present bigger the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram (Chittagong), and given USD 150 million within the establish of technological give a enhance to to Bangladesh.

Amid these rising ties between Dhaka and Beijing, Pakistan has moreover stepped into the image. Pakistani International Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to be in contact about with Bangladesh on April 24, while International Secretary Amina Baloch will arrive on April 17. This is also the predominant ministerial-diploma consult with from Pakistan to Bangladesh since 2012, and a couple of agreements are anticipated to be signed all through the time out.

What threats may well a Chinese language airbase in Bangladesh pose to India?

The Siliguri Hall is a narrow stretch of land simply 22 to 25 kilometers huge. It’s the lifeline that connects India’s northeastern states to the remainder of the country. If this corridor is compromised or decrease off, it may well successfully isolate seven northeastern states from mainland India.

That’s why the seemingly of Bangladesh interesting China to present an airbase simply a couple of kilometers away will not be only a geographic concern — it’s a potential military, political, and strategic provocation. If China does utter up an airbase so end to this sensitive corridor, wouldn’t it are attempting to make basically the most of its proximity?

In line with a story by The Eurasian Times, Mohammad Yunus has overtly invited Chinese language investments into Bangladesh, and vastly, he hasn’t dominated out the military potential of such involvement.

This ride fits neatly into China’s broader formula to encircle India — a geopolitical sport conception in overall typically known as the “String of Pearls.” China already has a military or naval presence in Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), and even Djibouti in Africa. If China gains a military foothold in Bangladesh besides, it may well as regards to total its strategic ring around India.

Northeast India is already a sensitive location, plagued for years by insurgencies and separatist actions in states cherish Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. A military presence end to this space may well extra strain inner stability and heighten security tensions.