Full Strategic Assessment Report: Indian Army Exercise Teesta Prahar and Regional Military Balance

Reading Time: 7 minutes In early 2025, the Indian Army conducted Exercise Teesta Prahar along the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor—an area often referred to as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’—adjacent to Bangladesh’s north-western periphery. Given its proximity to both the People’s Republic of China and Bangladesh, the exercise merits serious attention from regional strategic analysts. The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land—only about 20–25 km wide at its narrowest point—that connects mainland India to its northeastern states. Thus, this exercise carries both military and political undertones. This report investigates the operational details of Teesta Prahar, evaluates its strategic utility, and compares the Indian Army’s regional capabilities with those of the Bangladesh Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. Key topics include units/formations involved, equipment and logistics, terrain dynamics, outcomes, and comparative capabilities. Additionally, the political rhetoric versus military sustainability is assessed in detail. Background and Purpose of Exercise