India Revives Tripura Airfield as Strategic Move Against China’s Growing Influence in Bangladesh

India is taking decisive steps to revive an old airfield in Tripura, close to the Bangladesh border, as part of a larger strategic response to China’s increasing military footprint in the region. This move highlights India’s growing concern over regional security, especially with China actively supporting the redevelopment of an old airbase in Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district.

The airfield in focus is Kailashahar Airport, located in Tripura’s Unakoti district. Though it has remained unused for more than 30 years, this once-important airstrip is now being fast-tracked for revival by the Indian government. On May 26, 2025, senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) inspected the site to assess its existing infrastructure, land condition, and overall operational feasibility. This marks the first clear step towards bringing the long-defunct airfield back to life.

Why Is India Reviving Kailashahar Airport Now?

The sudden push to revive Kailashahar Airport comes in the backdrop of China-backed developments at Lalmonirhat Airbase in northern Bangladesh, barely 20 kilometers from India’s border. This area is dangerously close to the Siliguri Corridor — a narrow 22-kilometer stretch that links mainland India with its northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. Often referred to as the “chicken’s neck,” this corridor is a crucial lifeline for India’s security and economic connectivity to the northeast.

Any military buildup near this corridor poses a direct security risk. India fears that China’s involvement in modernizing Lalmonirhat Airbase could, in the long run, allow China or its allies to maintain a strategic presence dangerously close to this sensitive region.

China’s Growing Footprint in Bangladesh

In recent years, China-Bangladesh defense ties have strengthened, with Beijing supplying military hardware, naval vessels, and conducting joint exercises with Dhaka. The Lalmonirhat airbase project is being viewed as part of China’s larger regional strategy, often described as the “String of Pearls.” This strategy involves creating a network of strategic assets — ports, airbases, and infrastructure projects — around India to potentially encircle it geopolitically.

Though official details about the Chinese-backed airbase development in Lalmonirhat remain limited, its location and timing have understandably raised concerns in New Delhi, given the sensitive geography and history of regional tensions.

A Strategic and Historic Decision

Reviving Kailashahar Airport is not only a military decision but also a historically symbolic one. During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, this very airfield was used by the Indian Air Force and the newly formed Bangladeshi resistance forces. It was from here that “Kilo Flight”, the first makeshift air squadron of Bangladesh, took off for its early missions using civilian planes converted for combat. These missions played a crucial role in supporting the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani control.

By reactivating Kailashahar, India aims to send a clear message — both strengthening its immediate military readiness in the region and honoring its legacy of supporting Bangladesh’s independence struggle.

What Lies Ahead

Once revived, Kailashahar Airport could serve multiple purposes:

• A forward airbase for quick deployment of Indian Air Force assets

• A civilian airport to improve regional connectivity in Tripura and the northeast

• A symbolic landmark reminding both India and Bangladesh of their shared history

At a time when geopolitical rivalries in South Asia are intensifying, India’s move to revive Kailashahar Airport represents a smart blend of strategic foresight and historical pride. It reaffirms India’s commitment to safeguarding its northeastern lifeline while subtly countering China’s expanding influence in Bangladesh.