China's Revival of WWII Airbase in Bangladesh: Strategic Implications for India

Strategic Airbase Revival in Bangladesh

• 🇨🇳 China is reportedly assisting Bangladesh in reviving a World War II-era airbase at Lalmonirhat, located a mere 12-15 km from the Indian border.
• ✈️ The airfield, controlled by the Bangladesh Air Force, has been inactive for decades but possesses a 4 km runway and a large tarmac.
• 💡 Originally built by the British in 1931, the base served as a forward base for Allied forces in Southeast Asia during World War II.

Geopolitical Significance of the Siliguri Corridor

• 📍 The Lalmonirhat airbase is critically located just 135 km from the Siliguri Corridor, India's vital "Chicken's Neck" passage connecting its northeastern states to the mainland.
• ⚠️ At its narrowest, the corridor is only 22 km wide, making it a strategic choke point and a lifeline for India's territorial integrity.
• 📈 Reports suggest that Chinese involvement in developing this Bangladeshi airbase, even for civilian purposes, could pose a direct threat to the security of the Siliguri Corridor.

China's Expanding Footprint and Regional Concerns

• 🌏 China's growing presence in Bangladesh extends beyond the airbase, including factories, a solar power plant, and a satellite city, often with minimal local worker involvement.
• 🤝 This pattern mirrors China's projects in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, potentially leading to local population alienation.
• 🇵🇰 A Pakistani military intelligence delegation also recently inspected border areas in Bangladesh, indicating warming ties between Islamabad and Dhaka.
• 🇮🇳 India views Bangladesh's strengthening ties with China and Pakistan with concern, especially given historical links between Pakistan's ISI and separatist groups in India's northeast.

Shifting Political Landscape and International Engagement

• 🇧🇩 The recent regime change in Bangladesh, with Muhammad Yunus leading the interim administration, has seen an open offer to be a "fountainhead against India," potentially tempting China to pursue projects like the airport revival.
• 💰 Yunus secured over $2 billion in investment commitments from China during a recent visit, emphasizing Bangladesh's role as a maritime gateway and its potential to aid China in regional trade.
• 📢 India summoned a senior Bangladeshi official and issued a demarche in response to Yunus's comments about India's landlocked northeastern states.
• 🇺🇸 Bangladesh's deepening ties with China, particularly in strategic infrastructure, may prompt the United States to reassess its regional engagement.