Assam CM Highlights Concerns Over Bangladesh's Territorial Claims
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has raised significant concerns regarding ongoing discussions in Bangladesh about separating the northeastern region from India. He emphasized that such claims are unrealistic, given India's status as a nuclear power and its position as the world's fourth-largest economy. Sarma criticized the mindset of Bangladeshi leaders and warned against any attempts to destabilize India's northeastern states. His comments come in response to statements from a Bangladeshi political leader suggesting that Bangladesh should isolate these states if India continues its alleged destabilizing actions. The geopolitical implications of these discussions highlight the vulnerabilities of both nations.
| Dec 17, 2025, 12:47 IST
Concerns Raised by Assam's Chief Minister
On Tuesday, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, expressed concerns regarding discussions in Bangladesh about separating the northeastern region from India and incorporating it into Bangladesh. He asserted that such a notion is implausible, given that India ranks as the world's fourth-largest economy and is a nuclear power. Sarma noted that for the past year, there have been repeated discussions in Bangladesh about this separation, but he emphasized that India is a vast nation and a nuclear-armed country, questioning how Bangladesh could even entertain such thoughts.
Criticism of Bangladesh's Perspective
Sarma further criticized the mindset of the Bangladeshi people, suggesting that India should not extend excessive assistance to them. In a conversation with the media, he stated, "We should not offer them too much help and must teach them a lesson that if they behave this way towards India, we will not remain silent." His remarks followed a statement from Hasanat Abdullah, a senior leader of Bangladesh's newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), who claimed that if New Delhi attempts to destabilize Bangladesh, Dhaka should isolate India's northeastern states.
Bangladesh's Allegations and India's Response
Abdullah allegedly mentioned that the northeastern states are "geographically vulnerable" due to their reliance on the narrow Siliguri Corridor. This corridor, also known as the 'Chicken Neck,' connects the northeastern region to mainland India. Earlier this year, Sarma had warned Bangladesh against targeting India's Chicken Neck, stating that those who continuously threaten India regarding this corridor should remember that Bangladesh also has two narrow land strips that are far more insecure.
Details on Bangladesh's Vulnerabilities
In a post on X, Sarma elaborated that Bangladesh possesses two Chicken Necks, both of which are significantly more vulnerable. The first is an 80-kilometer corridor in northern Bangladesh, stretching from South Dinajpur to the southwestern Garo Hills. Any obstruction here could completely isolate the Rangpur division from the rest of Bangladesh. The second is a 28-kilometer corridor in Chattogram, connecting South Tripura to the Bay of Bengal, which is the only link between Bangladesh's economic and political capitals.