Sadhguru Urges Expansion of Siliguri Corridor, Says India Must Strengthen Narrow Link to the Northeast

Bengaluru/New Delhi | December 29, 2025 Spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru has called for strengthening and expanding the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow stretch of land that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country. Speaking at a public event in Bengaluru, he described the corridor, often called the “Chicken’s Neck,” as a long-standing weakness that India should have addressed decades ago. The Siliguri Corridor is a thin strip of land in West Bengal, measuring about 22 kilometres at its widest point. It links eight northeastern states to mainland India and is bordered by Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and lies close to China. Because of its location and narrow width, the corridor has long been viewed as a sensitive and strategic area from a security point of view. Sadhguru said the corridor was an outcome of the partition of India in 1947 and called it a “78-year-old anomaly.” He argued that India had a chance to fix this issue after the 1971 war, when Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan, but failed to do so. “In 1972, India had the authority and opportunity, but the issue was left untouched,” he said. Using a strong metaphor, Sadhguru said the country should “nourish the Chicken’s Neck and allow it to grow into an elephant.” He explained that a fragile link cannot be the foundation of a nation’s territorial integrity. According to him, India must take bold and practical steps to remove long-term vulnerabilities, even if those steps involve cost or difficult decisions. Although Sadhguru did not directly name any country, his comments came amid growing concerns among experts over regional security. The Siliguri Corridor has often been discussed by defence analysts because of its proximity to China and Bangladesh. Recent political changes in Bangladesh and reports of increasing hostility towards India have added to these concerns. Sadhguru has also spoken in the past about incidents of violence against Hindu minorities and damage to temples in Bangladesh. He stressed that nations cannot be built on weakness or hesitation. “A nation cannot think and act like a chicken. It must grow strong, confident, and stable,” he said, adding that whatever steps are taken will come with consequences, but those cannot be avoided if national security is at stake. Placing his views in a global context, Sadhguru said that while a borderless world may be a good idea in theory, it is not practical in the present reality. He said humanity has not yet reached a stage where borders can simply disappear. “We cannot suddenly decide to live without boundaries and expect everything to work smoothly. That kind of thinking is unrealistic at this point,” he said. As India looks for ways to reduce its dependence on the Siliguri Corridor, the government has been working on alternative connectivity routes. One such effort is the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which aims to connect Kolkata to Mizoram’s capital Aizawl through Myanmar. The project is designed to provide another route to the northeast, easing pressure on the corridor. However, progress on the Kaladan project has been slow due to political instability in Myanmar. Several areas along the route are under the influence of armed groups, making construction and transport difficult. Reports suggest that some of these groups use their strategic locations to push their own agendas, further complicating India’s plans. Sadhguru’s remarks have once again brought national attention to the Siliguri Corridor and the larger question of long-term security and connectivity for the northeastern region. While his statements may spark debate, they underline a concern that has existed for decades—how to protect a vital link that holds together a large and diverse part of the country. Sadhguru Urges Expansion of Siliguri Corridor, Says India Must Strengthen Narrow Link to the Northeast Sadhguru has sparked a fresh debate on national security by calling for the expansion of the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow strip of land that connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. Speaking at a public event in Bengaluru, the Isha Foundation founder described the corridor, often called the “Chicken’s Neck,” as a long-standing weakness that India should have corrected decades ago. The Siliguri Corridor lies in West Bengal and is about 22 kilometres wide at its broadest point. It borders Bangladesh and is close to China, Nepal, and Bhutan, making it one of the most sensitive regions in the country. Because it is the only land link to the northeast, any disruption there could severely affect movement, security, and supply lines. Sadhguru said this narrow stretch was a result of India’s partition in 1947 and called it a “78-year-old anomaly.” He pointed out that India had a major opportunity to fix the issue after the 1971 war, when Bangladesh was liberated, but chose not to act. Using a powerful image, he said India must “nourish the Chicken’s Neck and allow it to grow into an elephant,” stressing that a nation cannot depend on fragile links to protect its territory. While he did not name any specific country, his comments come at a time when concerns are rising over regional tensions and security threats. Sadhguru has earlier spoken about violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and warned about growing hostility in the region. He also said that while a borderless world sounds ideal, it is not practical in today’s reality. Strong borders, he argued, are still necessary for a nation’s safety. India is working on alternate routes like the Kaladan project through Myanmar, but political instability there has slowed progress. Sadhguru’s remarks have once again brought focus on the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor and the need to secure India’s connection to the northeast.