The Chicken's Neck and India's Act East Policy

The Chicken's Neck and India's Act East Policy is a compelling and timely collection of scholarly essays that examines one of India's most strategically sensitive regions—the Siliguri Corridor—through a multidisciplinary lens. Often referred to as the “Chicken's Neck,” this narrow stretch of land in northern West Bengal serves as the vital lifeline connecting mainland India to its northeastern states. The volume situates this geographically fragile yet geopolitically crucial corridor within the broader framework of India's evolving Act East Policy, offering nuanced insights into its security, economic, and diplomatic significance. Emerging from a Foreign Policy Awareness Programme, this edited collection brings together contributions from eminent scholars, defence experts, and policy analysts who collectively explore the historical evolution, contemporary challenges, and future prospects of the corridor. The essays critically engage with issues such as national security vulnerabilities, cross-border geopolitics, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity initiatives like BBIN and BIMSTEC. About the Editors Dr. Amitabh Roy is a distinguished academician and the Principal of Alipurduar Mahila Mahavidyalaya. With a strong foundation in literary studies, he specializes in Indian English Literature, Postcolonial Literature, and Baudelaire studies. Over the years, he has made significant scholarly contributions through a substantial number of publications in reputed journals and edited volumes, in addition to authoring several books of his own. Dr. Ritwika Laskar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Alipurduar Mahila Mahavidyalaya since 2014. She completed her Masters and Ph.D from the University of Calcutta and obtained her Undergraduate Degree from Loreto College, Kolkata. In 2016, she was selected as an Endeavour Fellow at the University of Sydney, Australia.