New Delhi: South Asia’s strategic landscape is witnessing a significant shift as Bangladesh moves forward with plans to establish a military drone manufacturing facility with Chinese support, while India advances a critical underground railway project near the Siliguri Corridor, widely known as the “Chicken’s Neck.”
The twin developments are being closely watched by Indian security planners, given the corridor’s strategic importance as the only land link connecting mainland India with its northeastern states.
Bangladesh–China Drone Factory Raises Regional Concerns
Bangladesh recently signed a defense agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) to set up a drone manufacturing facility near Bogura airbase. The deal includes technology transfer and production of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs, along with Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) platforms.
According to officials, the drones will be used for both military and civilian purposes, including surveillance, disaster response, and humanitarian missions. However, Indian analysts have expressed concerns that long-range UAVs operating close to Indian borders could enhance surveillance and electronic intelligence capabilities.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer-long land border, making any military development in border-adjacent regions strategically sensitive.
India’s Underground Rail Project: A Strategic Counter
In response to growing security challenges, India is moving ahead with a strategic underground railway line through the Siliguri Corridor. Former Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Sodhi said the project aims to ensure secure connectivity to the northeastern states during emergencies or conflict situations.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has previously stated that the plan includes laying nearly 40 kilometers of underground rail track in the corridor, which is flanked by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Route Details
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has confirmed that the route will connect Darjeeling (West Bengal) to Kishanganj (Bihar) and extend toward Bagdogra. The most critical underground stretch—approximately 35.76 kilometers—will run between Dumandangi and Bagdogra, with a key 33.40-kilometer section between Dumandangi and Rangapani.
The Katihar Division of NFR is leading the project, which will cover the narrowest 22-kilometer-wide section of the Siliguri Corridor, long considered India’s strategic vulnerability.
Enhancing Military Logistics and Air Defense
Defense experts believe the underground rail corridor will allow secure and rapid movement of troops, equipment, and air-defense systems, even under hostile conditions.
This includes India’s indigenous D4 anti-drone system, developed by DRDO. The system can detect, jam, or destroy hostile drones within a 3–4 km range using radar, radio frequency sensors, jammers, and laser-based weapons. D4 systems are already deployed with the Border Security Force (BSF) in sensitive areas.
Growing Chinese Footprint a Key Worry
Indian analysts have also flagged concerns that Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s drone program could expand Beijing’s military and intelligence footprint in the region. There are fears that surveillance data collected by drones could indirectly serve broader Chinese strategic interests.
Following the political transition in Dhaka in 2024, interim leader Muhammad Yunus has accelerated defense and economic engagement with China. During his March 2025 visit to Beijing, Bangladesh signed multi-billion-dollar agreements, further strengthening ties.
Part of a Bigger Regional Picture
Indian policymakers view these developments within the context of China’s broader regional strategy, often referred to as the “String of Pearls,” aimed at expanding influence across South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
Experts say India’s underground rail initiative is not just an infrastructure project but a long-term strategic investment designed to neutralize vulnerabilities, ensure territorial integrity, and maintain operational readiness in an evolving security environment.