The Siliguri Corridor is a critical geographical concept, often called the "Chicken's Neck", which is a narrow stretch of land in the state of West Bengal. Its origin is rooted in the Partition of India in 1947–1948, which created East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and left this strip as the sole terrestrial connection between the Indian mainland and the eight northeastern states. The corridor's strategic importance was further cemented after Sikkim's union with India in 1975.
The corridor functions as a vital logistical lifeline, with its narrowest point spanning approximately 20-22 km. It is the mechanism for all land transportation, carrying major arteries like NH 17 and 27, broad gauge rail lines, and the national power grid. The corridor is bordered by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south, and lies close to China's Chumbi Valley. This makes it a critical chokepoint for India's eastern defense strategy and a key element of the Act East Policy.
While the corridor's geography remains unchanged, its security posture has been significantly amended recently. In late 2025, India established three new military garrisons (including the Lachit Borphukan Military Station near Dhubri, and bases at Kishanganj and Chopra) to fortify the area. This move was a direct response to heightened security concerns, including increased Chinese infrastructure development and geopolitical shifts in the region.