India’s strategic establishment has expressed deep concern over China’s growing military and political footprint in Bangladesh after a parliamentary committee report revealed major infrastructure projects being developed with Chinese assistance. The Standing Committee of the Ministry of External Affairs, which tabled its findings in Parliament, warned that the construction of an airbase runway and a submarine yard in Bangladesh could pose a serious challenge to India’s national security. The report underlined that these developments come at a time of shifting regional alignments, increasing Chinese influence in South Asia, and renewed anxieties over India’s vulnerable eastern and northeastern frontiers.
According to the committee, China is assisting in the construction of a runway at the Bangladesh Air Force’s Lalmonirhat airbase and is also involved in building a submarine facility at Pekua, designed to house up to eight submarines. These projects, combined with expanding economic and political ties between Beijing and Dhaka, were described as part of a broader pattern that could alter the strategic balance in India’s immediate neighbourhood. While Bangladesh has officially maintained that these facilities are not intended for offensive military use against India, the committee noted that such assurances do little to allay long-term security concerns, particularly given the locations and scale of the projects.
airbase near siliguri corridor heightens strategic vulnerability
One of the most alarming aspects highlighted by the parliamentary committee is the geographical proximity of the Lalmonirhat airbase to India’s borders. Located barely 15 kilometres from India’s northern frontier, the airbase falls well within the strategic shadow of the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck.” This narrow land corridor connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country and has long been viewed by defence planners as one of the most sensitive and vulnerable regions in India’s strategic geography.
The committee pointed out that the distance between Siliguri and the Bangladesh Air Force facility is approximately 70 kilometres, placing the airbase well within operational range of key Indian installations and transport routes. Any enhancement of air infrastructure in this region, particularly with Chinese involvement, inevitably raises questions about surveillance, logistics, and rapid force mobilisation in a crisis scenario. The presence of Chinese-built or Chinese-supported infrastructure so close to this critical corridor has therefore been interpreted as a potential pressure point in the event of heightened regional tensions.
The strategic implications become even more complex when viewed alongside China’s existing territorial position between India and Bhutan, particularly near the Doklam plateau. Defence analysts briefed to the committee reportedly warned that a coordinated or complementary posture between Chinese positions to the north and Chinese-influenced infrastructure to the east could significantly constrain India’s strategic options in a contingency. In this context, the Lalmonirhat project is not seen in isolation but as part of a wider pattern of Chinese activity encircling India’s periphery.
When India sought clarification from Bangladesh’s Director General of Military Operations regarding the nature of the Lalmonirhat airstrip, Dhaka stated that the facility would not be used for military purposes against India. The committee acknowledged this clarification but noted that airbases and runways are inherently dual-use in nature. Even facilities described as civilian or non-offensive can be rapidly repurposed in times of conflict, especially when designed to modern specifications.
Non-governmental strategic experts who interacted with the committee reportedly described the current situation as India’s most serious strategic challenge in Bangladesh since 1971. Their assessment was based not only on the physical infrastructure being developed but also on the evolving political and diplomatic environment in Dhaka, which appears increasingly receptive to Chinese engagement across multiple sectors.
submarine yard, political outreach and economic influence deepen concerns
Beyond the airbase, the committee expressed particular concern over the development of a submarine base at Pekua in Bangladesh. According to the report, the facility is being built to accommodate up to eight submarines, a significant expansion given that the Bangladesh Navy currently operates only two submarines. The scale of the infrastructure suggests long-term planning and future capability enhancement rather than a limited, short-term requirement.
The submarine project has added to anxieties about potential Chinese naval influence in the Bay of Bengal. While Bangladesh remains the sovereign operator of its naval assets, the committee noted that Chinese involvement in construction, training, and maintenance could translate into long-term strategic leverage. Such leverage, analysts warned, may not always be visible during peacetime but could become relevant during regional or global crises.
The report also drew attention to the memorandum of understanding signed between Bangladesh and China in March this year, which includes the expansion of Mongla Port with an estimated investment of 370 million dollars. Officially, the project is framed as an economic and commercial initiative aimed at improving port capacity and trade efficiency. However, the committee cautioned that port infrastructure, like airfields, often carries dual-use potential, particularly when developed with foreign assistance from a major military power.
At the political level, the committee observed that China has been actively cultivating ties with a wide spectrum of Bangladesh’s political leadership. One example cited in the report was China’s outreach to the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which was invited to engage with Chinese counterparts. This move was interpreted as a signal that Beijing is seeking influence not just with the government of the day but across Bangladesh’s political landscape, thereby hedging its strategic bets for the future.
The committee further highlighted concerns over China’s economic practices in the region, particularly allegations that Chinese goods are entering the Indian market via Bangladesh. According to the report, this indirect routing of products undermines India’s commercial interests and complicates trade enforcement. The blending of economic penetration with strategic infrastructure development was described as a hallmark of China’s broader regional strategy.
In its assessment, the Standing Committee warned that the strengthening foothold of countries that are “not friendly to India” in Bangladesh constitutes a serious national security challenge. While the report did not explicitly name Pakistan in every instance, it referred to the combined influence of China and Pakistan in the neighbouring country as a source of concern. The committee emphasised that Bangladesh occupies a crucial position in India’s eastern security architecture and that any shift in its strategic orientation has direct implications for India.
In response to the committee’s observations, the Ministry of External Affairs assured lawmakers that the government is keeping a close watch on developments in Bangladesh. The ministry stated that India remains engaged with Dhaka through diplomatic and military channels and continues to assess the implications of foreign involvement in Bangladesh’s infrastructure projects. Officials reiterated that India respects Bangladesh’s sovereignty and its right to pursue development partnerships but stressed that New Delhi cannot ignore activities that have potential security ramifications.
The report reflects a broader recalibration of India’s neighbourhood policy, as regional geopolitics become increasingly complex. With China expanding its reach through infrastructure, investment, and political engagement, and with Pakistan seeking avenues to regain influence in South Asia, Bangladesh has emerged as a critical theatre in India’s strategic calculations. The parliamentary committee’s findings underscore the need for sustained vigilance, deeper diplomatic engagement, and a nuanced approach that balances respect for neighbouring countries’ autonomy with the imperative of safeguarding national security.
