Lalmanirhat Airport Dispute: China’s growing activities at Lalmanirhat Airport in Bangladesh, located on the northeast border of India, have created a stir among the Indian security forces. Security analysts have warned that if this airport is used for military purposes, it can pose a threat to Sikkim, West Bengal and Northeast India.
Lalmanirhat is located on the northwest border of Bangladesh, which is very close to the narrow strip of land known as ‘Chicken Nek’ in India. This geographical structure is considered extremely sensitive to India. Therefore, China’s possible military intervention in the region may be a major strategic shock for India.
A part of the strategy behind the visit of the Chinese delegation
A large Chinese delegation led by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Vento will visit Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh in May. Although it is being said that this meeting is for business discussion, it is suspected that China’s deep strategy is hidden behind it.
According to the information received, China is planning to invest in Lalmanirhat Airport in Bangladesh. The airport was once the second largest military airport in Asia and was built by the British for military purposes in 1931. It is currently considered one of the 9 bases of the Bangladeshi Air Force.
Double use threat, military usage behind civil facade
If China invests in this airport, it will become an airbase with ‘double use’. That is, civil aviation will be conducted here directly, but in fact it can become an important place for military equipment, weapons and monitoring. Security experts say this may pose a serious threat to India’s national security.
With this airport directly monitoring the Indian aircraft, it will be possible to take immediate military action. In this way, China can gain the ability to isolate the northeastern states of India from the rest of the country by putting pressure on India’s ‘Chicken Neck’ region.
Bangladesh’s role and India’s concerns
The interim government of Bangladesh is currently taking a positive attitude towards China’s proposals. After Mohammed Younus’s recent visit to Beijing, Bangladesh has invited China for direct investment. This case is more worrying for India. At a time when the Teesta water dispute between India and Bangladesh is still pending, if China’s influence increases through Lalmanirhat, India may face difficulties at the geopolitical level. This has further increased concerns about the increasing Chinese presence in India’s neighboring countries.
India towards readiness
In this background, India’s security system and intelligence agencies have started keeping a close watch on activities in the respective fields. The Ministry of Defense is taking steps to respond to China’s antics and secure the Indian border regions. Experts have warned that China’s growing presence at Lalmanirhat Airport will not be limited to Bangladesh only, but it could have an impact on the entire South Asian Strategic Series.
China’s trickery game, India’s test
China’s strategic tricks on Lalmanirhat are pose a new threat to India. In this background, India needs to take solid strategic and diplomatic steps instead of only worrying. Given China’s growing economic and political influence, India will have to re -evaluate its relations with its neighbors.
