Bangladesh brings Pakistan Army to Rangpur, close to India's ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor in West Bengal

Bangladesh has recently taken another controversial step that could further impact the deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. Reports suggest that a delegation of senior officials of the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) recently visited the Rangpur Division in northern Bangladesh, which is located near the strategic ‘Chicken’s Neck’. Also known as the Siliguri Corridor, Chicken’s Neck is a narrow strip of land in West Bengal, that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country.

The relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been strained throughout history. However, the recent ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has improved relations due to a rising anti-India sentiment in both countries.

Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate, assumed the role of Bangladesh's Chief Adviser in August last year after then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country following weeks of protests led by students over a controversial quota system in government jobs.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Command of the Border Security Force (BSF) has commenced 'Ops Alert' along the 4,096 km Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) ahead of Republic Day. Patrolling has been intensified and border domination is being carried out both during the day and night.