The Chicken Neck of West Bengal, formally known as the Siliguri Corridor, is one of India's most geopolitically sensitive and strategically significant territories. Stretching only about 20 to 22 kilometers at its narrowest point, this slender strip of land connects mainland India to its eight northeastern states. Despite its limited geographical expanse, the Chicken Neck is a lifeline, a bridge, and a potential flashpoint all at once-deserving of far more attention than it has historically received.
This book, "Chicken Neck of WB (India's Strategic Lifeline)," emerges from a deep concern for the nuanced realities of this region-its complex geography, layered history, vibrant demography, cultural diversity, and vital importance in India's national security and development matrix. As an author with a deep-rooted interest in Indian history, strategic affairs, and regional studies, I felt a pressing need to delve into this overlooked yet crucial frontier of India. The objective of this book is to comprehensively document and analyze the Chicken Neck region-not merely from a defense or administrative perspective, but as a living, breathing ecosystem teeming with people, cultures, dreams, and challenges.
The Chicken Neck is not only a critical military and economic artery but also a zone of human resilience and multicultural coexistence. It stands at the intersection of four nations-India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China-and within its narrow frame, it holds stories of migration, colonial legacy, cultural convergence, insurgency, and national integration. The region's strategic fragility is matched only by its social vitality.
Through fifteen detailed chapters, this book explores the geographical realities, historical evolution, economic conditions, socio-cultural dynamics, and strategic imperatives of the region. I have attempted to weave together factual narratives with analytical insight, to present a multidimensional portrait of this land. Each chapter has been written with the aim of offering both academic rigor and public readability, hoping to serve policymakers, students, scholars, and every curious citizen alike.
This work would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of PKRBUR PUBLICATION, whose commitment to intellectual inquiry and regional scholarship made this publication a reality. Their unwavering belief in the relevance of this subject has greatly inspired me throughout the writing process.
I also owe my gratitude to the many voices-local residents, administrators, historians, and defense analysts-whose insights and lived experiences have enriched this book. The Chicken Neck is more than a corridor; it is a testimony to India's unity in diversity, a frontier that stands vigilant against division, and a mirror that reflects both our vulnerabilities and strengths as a nation.
I humbly present this work with the hope that it deepens understanding, encourages discourse, and adds value to the ongoing dialogue about India's northeastern connectivity, border policies, and regional development strategies.
