'Diplomacy Running Out, Surgery Needed In Bangladesh': CM Himanta On ‘Chicken Neck’, Assam Security

Last Updated:December 23, 2025, 07:27 IST

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma described the Siliguri Corridor, often called the ‘Chicken Neck’, as India’s biggest strategic concern.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Amid unrest in Bangladesh and its impact on India’s security, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday that the time for diplomacy was running out and that a permanent cure for the crisis in the neighbouring country was possible only through “surgery". Speaking in an exclusive interview at News18’s Rising Assam Conclave, Sarma warned that the current situation posed serious risks, especially for India’s Northeast.

Focus on the ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor

Sarma described the Siliguri Corridor, often called the ‘Chicken Neck’, as India’s biggest strategic concern. He said Bangladesh lies on both sides of this narrow stretch that connects the Northeast to the rest of the country. According to him, India may one day have to take 20-22 kilometres of land, either through diplomacy or force, to secure the region. He used a medical analogy, saying surgery becomes necessary when medicine no longer works.

‘Chicken Neck’ is an unfinished agenda

On the Chicken Neck issue, Sarma called it an unfinished agenda. He said the timing and approach would be decided by the central government and urged patience. “We should not be impatient. History has its moment," he added.

Yunus government will not last long

Targeting Bangladesh’s interim leadership, Sarma said the Mohammed Yunus government would not last long. He claimed the present regime had created conditions that were deeply worrying for India, especially for border states. While elections could improve matters, he said the current challenge was unlike anything India had faced before.

Indira Gandhi’s Historic Mistake?

Referring to the 1971 war, Sarma questioned the decisions taken by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He said India could have asked for land at that time to permanently resolve the Chicken Neck issue. Since that did not happen, he argued, India continues to face threats related to the corridor even today.

Himanta slams Congress policies

Himanta Biswa Sarma blamed Congress-era policies around Partition for current problems. He said that if a referendum had been held, Hindus in Bangladesh would have chosen India. Instead, he claimed, wrong decisions forced many unwilling people to remain in Pakistan, then known as East Pakistan, creating long-term demographic and security challenges.

Atrocities and religious violence in Bangladesh

Sarma also spoke about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, including the killing of a man named Dipu. He said brutality against any person was unacceptable, regardless of religion. However, he added that anger naturally doubled when someone was targeted and killed only because they were Hindu.

‘40% of Assam Is Bangladeshi, we are sitting on a powder keg’

The Assam Chief Minister raised serious concerns over changes in the state’s population. He claimed that nearly 40 per cent of Assam’s population was now of Bangladeshi origin, compared to just 10–15 per cent at the time of Independence. He described the situation as living on a “powder keg".

Looking ahead, Sarma predicted that by the 2027 census, Assam’s Hindu and Muslim populations could become equal. He said governing Assam was becoming increasingly complex due to these demographic shifts.

 Bangladesh moving towards extremism

Sarma said post-Hasina Bangladesh was moving rapidly towards extremism. He added that India could not remain on the same page with countries that followed such a path, making differences unavoidable.

Concluding the interview, Sarma said Assam’s position as a border state made it extremely sensitive. External threats and internal changes, he said, had brought the state to a point where tough decisions could no longer be avoided.

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