Lalmonirhat Airfield – Next Flashpoint Between India & China? Beijing’s Possible Entry Into Bangladesh’s Dormant Air Base Raises Concerns For India

The Lalmonirhat Airfield, located in northern Bangladesh, can become a bone of contention for India in the future due to its strategic location. The airfield is close to India’s ‘Chicken Neck’ or Siliguri corridor. If reports are to be believed, China is eyeing taking control of the Lalmonirhat airfield.

About the Lalmonirhat Airfield:

During World War II, the airfield was used by Allied forces (the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom), but fell into disuse post-independence in 1947. It was used briefly by Pakistan in 1958.

In 2019, during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, a plot in the Lalmonirhat Air Base was given to Bangladesh Aerospace and Aviation University. It is now operational under the Bangladesh Air Force.

How China’s Presence At Lalmonirhat Air Base Can Be A Threat To India?

Lalmonirhat is about 100 km from the Siliguri Corridor and just over 20 km from India’s border.

Any air base in this region could potentially threaten the vital link between India’s northeast and the rest of the country. 

If Beijing manage to gain access to the currently inactive airfield, it can easily keep an eye on India’s military movement through the Siliguri Corridor, India’s vulnerable point.

Noted geostrategist and author Brahma Chellaney raised concerns over Bangladesh’s move to revive the British-era Lalmonirhat air base, “After seeking to move the nearly $1 billion Teesta River project from India to China, Bangladesh reportedly is planning to revive with Chinese assistance the old British-era airbase at Lalmonirhat. Both projects, located near the Indian border, carry significant implications for India’s security,” Chellaney said in an X post.

“An active Lalmonirhat airbase would greatly enhance China’s ability to conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance on Indian military installations, troop movements and critical infrastructure, including in India’s strategically vital Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck),” he added.

After seeking to move the nearly $1 billion Teesta River project from India to China, Bangladesh reportedly is planning to revive with Chinese assistance the old British-era airbase at Lalmonirhat. Both projects, located near the Indian border, carry significant implications for…

— Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) May 20, 2025

Reports about China trying to get access to the strategic airbase surfaced in the backdrop of Muhammad Yunus’, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, statement referring to the northeastern states of India in March this year during his Beijing visit. He even urged China to extend its economic hold in Bangladesh. Making a pitch to China, Yunus said that India’s northeastern states are landlocked and termed Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region.

Involvement of Pakistan In The Lalmonirhat Air Base:

As per reports, the airport is likely to start in October this year, and China will also rope in a Pakistani company as the subcontractor for the work. After Hasina’s ouster, a Pakistani military-intelligence delegation also reportedly inspected Bangladesh’s border areas.

India’s Reaction:

Indian agencies are closely monitoring the development. So far, no official statement has been released by New Delhi.