China Eyes a New Bay of Bengal Corridor Through Bangladesh and Myanmar, Raising Concerns Along India's Eastern Border Having reached the Arabian Sea via CPEC, China is now pushing for a new economic corridor with Bangladesh and Myanmar to access the Bay of Bengal, a move that could pose fresh strategic challenges along India's eastern border. Having already secured a route to the Arabian Sea through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan, China is now turning its attention to the Bay of Bengal. Beijing has begun taking steps to build a new economic corridor together with Bangladesh and Myanmar. If the project goes through, China would gain a road, rail and maritime network stretching right up to India's eastern border, a development being viewed as strategically significant. Once this network is in place, China would reportedly be able to move tanks and troops by road all the way to India's entire eastern frontier whenever needed. Linking Kunming to Mongla Port According to a Times of India report, the project was discussed in detail during a recent visit to China by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. The proposal envisions connecting China's Kunming city to Bangladesh's major ports, particularly Mongla Port, via Myanmar. This would not only ease the movement of goods but also strengthen China's strategic footprint all the way to the Bay of Bengal. A Gwadar-style blueprint for the Bay of Bengal The new corridor could largely be modelled on CPEC. Just as CPEC gave China access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan's Gwadar port, this new corridor could open up a fresh route for China to the Bay of Bengal. Trade infrastructure with military potential Defence experts point out that modern road, rail and port networks are normally used for trade during peacetime, but the same infrastructure can double up for military logistics, troop movement and the swift transport of heavy military equipment during a crisis or war. That is precisely why this Chinese project could become a growing headache for India. Reviving the 1999 BCIM plan Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen was quoted as saying that the idea itself is not new. He noted that the concept of a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor first emerged back in 1999, aimed at linking the four countries through road, rail, waterway and air connectivity. That plan, however, never moved forward. Yao Wen also said that the cooperation now beginning between China and Bangladesh is not the final stop, and that China would welcome other countries if they wished to join the initiative later. Whether to join now or wait, he said, would be entirely up to the countries concerned. The ambassador further said Beijing and Dhaka have agreed to go beyond economic cooperation, setting up a 2+2 dialogue mechanism covering foreign policy and defence matters, through which the two sides hope to give fresh direction to their strategic and security cooperation. Ties warmed after Sheikh Hasina's ouster Relations between Beijing and Dhaka have strengthened rapidly since Sheikh Hasina was ousted in Bangladesh in 2024. Several agreements have been signed in this period that India is watching closely. These include the Teesta river project, Chinese involvement in developing the Lalmonirhat airbase near India's eastern border, plans to set up a drone manufacturing and technology transfer unit in Dhaka, and a contract awarded to China to develop an economic zone near Mongla Port. Notably, the Mongla project was originally proposed to be built with India, but Bangladesh later cancelled that arrangement and handed the contract to China instead. New challenge on India's eastern flank If this new economic corridor becomes a reality, China's strategic grip over South Asia would grow considerably stronger, while India could face fresh challenges along its eastern borders, with Beijing potentially gaining an alternative strategic corridor beyond Pakistan, this time through Bangladesh and Myanmar. What this means for you • For India: If this corridor is built, China would gain an alternative strategic route beyond Pakistan, through Bangladesh and Myanmar, which could push India to step up security preparedness and surveillance along its eastern border. • Diplomatic fallout: Projects like the Teesta river scheme and Mongla Port slipping from India to China could also raise questions about India's economic partnerships with its neighbours. Questions & Answers 1. What kind of new corridor is China building with Bangladesh and Myanmar? China is building a new economic corridor connecting its city of Kunming to Bangladesh's major ports, particularly Mongla Port, via Myanmar. 2. When was this project discussed? It was discussed in detail during a recent visit to China by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. 3. Which older plan is this corridor linked to? It is linked to the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor proposed in 1999, which never moved forward at the time. 4. What defence-related agreement has been reached between China and Bangladesh? The two countries have agreed to set up a 2+2 dialogue mechanism covering foreign policy and defence matters. 5. Why is this corridor a concern for India? Defence experts say the same infrastructure used for trade in peacetime can be used to rapidly move military supplies and troops during a crisis, raising strategic risks along India's eastern border. 6. How have Bangladesh-China relations changed since Sheikh Hasina's ouster? Since the 2024 ouster, agreements favouring China have followed, including the Teesta river project, cooperation on the Lalmonirhat airbase, and the economic zone near Mongla Port. 7. Who was the Mongla Port project originally proposed with? The economic zone project near Mongla Port was originally proposed with India, but Bangladesh later cancelled it and handed it to China. https://trendkia.com/en/security/bngala-ki-khari-taka-pahunchane-ki-taiyari-men-china-bangladesh-myanmar-koridora-se-india-ki-sima-para-barha-sakata-hai-khatara-4262 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.