SOURCE: AFI
In a development that has raised eyebrows in New Delhi, Bangladesh is reportedly seeking China’s assistance to construct an airbase at the WWII-era Lalmonirhat airfield, located just 10 kilometers from India’s border. The airfield, a relic of the British colonial era, has been largely abandoned since the end of World War II, with only sporadic use in the decades that followed.
While the project could be framed as a modernization effort by Bangladesh to revive a dormant asset, its proximity to India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor—often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”—and the potential involvement of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) have sparked concerns about regional security dynamics. India, with its artillery systems capable of targeting the site, must carefully assess the implications of this move and consider issuing a stern warning to Bangladesh if the airbase is intended for use by Chinese forces.
The Lalmonirhat airfield, situated in northwestern Bangladesh near the districts of Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar in West Bengal, was originally established by the British in 1943 during World War II. Spanning 1,166 acres, it served as a strategic base for Allied forces to facilitate communication with Nepal, Bhutan, and several Indian states, while also providing a safe haven for operations in the eastern theater of the war. After the war ended in 1945, the airfield fell into disuse, with a brief and unsuccessful attempt to operate civilian air services in 1958. Since then, the site has remained largely neglected, with the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) maintaining a small presence, including a military farm and a maintenance unit, alongside the temporary campus of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU).
Recent reports, however, suggest that Bangladesh is now looking to revive this airfield with Chinese assistance, potentially transforming it into a modern airbase. While there has been no official confirmation from either Dhaka or Beijing, the possibility of such a project has been circulating in media and defense circles, with some sources claiming that discussions took place during a recent visit by Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, to China.
The proposed airbase’s location—just 10 kilometers from India’s border—places it in a highly sensitive area. The Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country, is a critical chokepoint that lies approximately 160 kilometers from Lalmonirhat. The corridor, bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China, is a lifeline for India, and any military presence in its vicinity is viewed with suspicion. The involvement of China, a strategic rival with whom India has ongoing border tensions, particularly in eastern Ladakh, adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
If the airbase is developed with Chinese assistance and subsequently leased to the PLAAF, it could pose a significant threat to India’s security. A Chinese airbase so close to the Siliguri Corridor would enable rapid deployment of fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, and drones, potentially allowing China to monitor Indian military movements in the northeast, including Sikkim and West Bengal. In a conflict scenario, PLAAF aircraft could reach the corridor in mere minutes, disrupting India’s supply lines and threatening its territorial integrity in the region. Moreover, the airbase could serve as a hub for intelligence gathering, further eroding India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific.
However, the proximity of the airbase to India’s border also places it well within the range of Indian artillery systems. India’s arsenal, including the 155mm Bofors howitzers and the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), can strike targets at distances of 30–40 kilometers with precision. In the event of hostilities, the Lalmonirhat airbase could be neutralized swiftly, limiting its operational utility for any foreign power. This vulnerability raises questions about Bangladesh’s intentions and the strategic calculus behind such a project.
What Bangladesh plans to do with the airbase remains unclear, but several possibilities exist. On one hand, the project could be a genuine effort to modernize its military infrastructure and bolster its air defense capabilities. The Bangladesh Air Force has been pursuing a modernization program under its Forces Goal 2030 initiative, which includes the establishment of new airbases and the acquisition of advanced radar systems and combat aircraft. Reviving the Lalmonirhat airfield could align with these goals, providing a strategic asset in the northwestern part of the country.
On the other hand, the involvement of China and the potential for leasing the airbase to the PLAAF suggest a more geopolitical motive. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, has been seeking to deepen ties with China and Pakistan, a shift that has alarmed India. Yunus’s recent statements, including his claim that Bangladesh is the “only guardian” of the Indian Ocean due to India’s “landlocked” northeastern states, have been perceived as provocative. If Bangladesh intends to lease the airbase to China, it could be an attempt to secure economic and military support from Beijing while balancing its relations with India, its largest neighbor and a key trading partner.
However, such a move would come with significant risks for Bangladesh. Leasing the airbase to the PLAAF would likely provoke a strong reaction from India, potentially straining bilateral ties and inviting economic or diplomatic repercussions. Moreover, the airbase’s vulnerability to Indian artillery fire limits its utility as a forward operating base for China, making it a questionable investment for Beijing.
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