China’s presence increases near Chicken Neck, new strain in India-Bangladesh ties over Teesta project

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between India and Bangladesh appear to be deepening further. Amid this situation, China’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, visited the Teesta River project area on Monday. This region is located very close to India’s strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken Neck,” a narrow stretch of about 22 kilometers that connects mainland India with the northeastern states.

The visit is linked to technical inspections under the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. It is important to note that last year, some leaders of Bangladesh’s interim government had referred to India’s northeastern states as “landlocked” and supported China’s economic expansion in the region, remarks that drew strong objections from India.

China’s urgency over the Teesta project

Bangladesh’s Water Resources Adviser, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, accompanied Ambassador Yao Wen during a visit to the Shahbazpur area of Tefamadhupur upazila in Rangpur. She stated that China is keen to implement the Teesta Master Plan at the earliest.

However, she clarified that the technical assessment process is still ongoing, and therefore work on the project cannot begin immediately.

Speaking to local journalists, Rizwana Hasan said China wants to execute the ambitious project without technical flaws, as the people of Bangladesh have high expectations from it. She added that both governments are committed to protecting the livelihoods of riverside communities and addressing issues such as flooding and river erosion.

Why the Teesta is important for India

The Teesta River is considered a lifeline for agriculture and daily life in northern districts of Bangladesh. For India, especially West Bengal, the river is equally significant. Talks on Teesta water-sharing between India and Bangladesh have been ongoing for decades, but a final agreement has not been reached due to objections from the West Bengal government.

The proposed project includes large-scale dredging, construction of strong embankments, and restoration of agricultural land. Experts believe China’s involvement could benefit Bangladesh, but for India it raises concerns related to regional security and strategic sensitivity, particularly because of the project’s proximity to the Chicken Neck corridor.

Growing China ties with the Yunus government

On Sunday, Ambassador Yao Wen met Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman. After the meeting, the press wing of Yunus shared on social media platform X that both sides discussed issues of mutual interest and agreed to further strengthen traditional Bangladesh-China friendship and development cooperation.

Discussions also covered the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital. Ambassador Yao Wen reiterated China’s commitment to visiting the Teesta project area and completing the technical assessment at the earliest.