The Chicken's Neck
A Geopolitical Anatomy of India's Siliguri Corridor
Published on 7. November 2025
96 pages
978-1-040-60346-8 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the nuances of settlement, migration, development, and geopolitics in the region known as the Siliguri Corridor, located in eastern India. It assesses the security challenges emerging from neighboring countries located in the immediate vicinity of the corridor-Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and China.
It analyzes the notion of the Chinese threat, or more particularly, the practicality and viability of its supposed "pincer move" to separate the Northeastern region of India by targeting the narrow Siliguri Corridor, which serves as the only physical link between the eight states and the rest of India. The book also focuses on the evolving dynamics of China's increasing foothold in the neighborhood and its potential impact on India's threat perception and strategy formulation with regard to the Siliguri Corridor.
The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of South Asian studies, China studies, international politics, and military and strategic studies.
It analyzes the notion of the Chinese threat, or more particularly, the practicality and viability of its supposed "pincer move" to separate the Northeastern region of India by targeting the narrow Siliguri Corridor, which serves as the only physical link between the eight states and the rest of India. The book also focuses on the evolving dynamics of China's increasing foothold in the neighborhood and its potential impact on India's threat perception and strategy formulation with regard to the Siliguri Corridor.
The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of South Asian studies, China studies, international politics, and military and strategic studies.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
4 Tables, black and white; 6 Halftones, black and white; 6 Illustrations, black and white
File size
3,27 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-60346-8 (9781040603468)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€206.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Aditya Kant Ghising is presently engaged as an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at City College (affiliated to the University of Calcutta), Kolkata, India, where he also serves as the Head of the Department.
Content
Preface vii
1 Introduction 1
Background 3
Methodology 6
Relevance of the Siliguri Corridor 7
2 Genesis of the Siliguri Corridor: A Brief History 11
Introduction 11
Development of Logistical Networks 13
Development of Townships 14
Migration and Settlement 16
Darjeeling 19
The Duars and Jalpaiguri 22
Strategic Repercussions 25
3 The Perception of China 30
Introduction 30
Factors Contributing to India's Perception of China: An
Analysis of the Siliguri Corridor 31
China and India: Understanding the Neighbors 34
Recent Developments Contributing to the Perception of
China: What They Mean for the Siliguri Corridor 36
4 The Strategic Relevance of Bhutan 41
Introduction 41
Historical Factors Shaping Indo-Bhutan Relations 42
Developments in the Twenty-First Century 43
Concerns Regarding Doklam 44
5 Nepal 51
Introduction 51
The Two Nepali Groups in India 53
Strategic Conundrums 54
The China Factor in Indo-Nepal Relations:
Implications on the Siliguri Corridor 56
Moving Forward 58
6 Bangladesh 62
Introduction 62
Historical Connections 63
Emerging Challenges 65
Bangladesh's Strategic Relevance to India 70
7 Conclusion 75
Bibliography 79
Index 83
1 Introduction 1
Background 3
Methodology 6
Relevance of the Siliguri Corridor 7
2 Genesis of the Siliguri Corridor: A Brief History 11
Introduction 11
Development of Logistical Networks 13
Development of Townships 14
Migration and Settlement 16
Darjeeling 19
The Duars and Jalpaiguri 22
Strategic Repercussions 25
3 The Perception of China 30
Introduction 30
Factors Contributing to India's Perception of China: An
Analysis of the Siliguri Corridor 31
China and India: Understanding the Neighbors 34
Recent Developments Contributing to the Perception of
China: What They Mean for the Siliguri Corridor 36
4 The Strategic Relevance of Bhutan 41
Introduction 41
Historical Factors Shaping Indo-Bhutan Relations 42
Developments in the Twenty-First Century 43
Concerns Regarding Doklam 44
5 Nepal 51
Introduction 51
The Two Nepali Groups in India 53
Strategic Conundrums 54
The China Factor in Indo-Nepal Relations:
Implications on the Siliguri Corridor 56
Moving Forward 58
6 Bangladesh 62
Introduction 62
Historical Connections 63
Emerging Challenges 65
Bangladesh's Strategic Relevance to India 70
7 Conclusion 75
Bibliography 79
Index 83
