Chinese Military Aircraft Allegedly Breaches Indian Airspace Over Sikkim, Sparks Political Row; Congress Targets Modi Government
A reported airspace violation by a Chinese military aircraft over Sikkim has triggered fresh security concerns and a political controversy in India. The Congress party has launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government, questioning its response to the alleged incident and demanding clarity on the country’s position towards China.
According to a report published by Outlook, a Chinese military aircraft allegedly entered Indian airspace from the Sikkim side on the morning of November 12 and remained in the area for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
The report has claimed that the incident took place at around 8 am, when the aircraft was detected flying at an altitude of approximately 25,000 feet. The development has raised particular concern because the reported location overlooks the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, which connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country.
According to the Outlook report, citing an unnamed source, the Indian Air Force (IAF) detected the movement of the Chinese military aircraft at around 8 am on November 12.
Following the detection, the IAF reportedly issued repeated warnings to the aircraft, asking it to return to Chinese territory. However, the aircraft allegedly continued hovering over the area despite the warnings and remained there for around 20 to 25 minutes.
Several important details about the reported incident remain unclear. The exact type of aircraft, its precise flight path, the time it eventually left the reported airspace and the number of warnings issued by the IAF have not yet been established.
It is also unclear whether the aircraft responded to the warnings issued by Indian forces.
The Outlook report stated that it had contacted the Indian Air Force for an official response and was awaiting a reply. No official confirmation of the alleged airspace violation had been made public at the time of reporting.
The reported incident has triggered a political reaction, with the Congress party targeting the central government over the alleged Chinese intrusion.
In a post on its official X account, the opposition party questioned how the Modi government would respond if the allegations were confirmed.
The Congress also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning whether he would once again give China a ‘clean chit’.
The party reportedly called for a strong response from the government and questioned its approach towards China’s alleged military activities along the Indian border.
The reported incident has attracted additional attention because of its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor, one of India’s most strategically sensitive geographical locations.
Located in West Bengal, the corridor is approximately 20 to 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. Popularly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, this narrow stretch of land serves as the vital land link connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India.
Any unusual military activity in the surrounding region is therefore considered strategically significant.
Sikkim shares an international border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and is also located close to the Doklam plateau.
In 2017, India and China were involved in a prolonged military standoff at Doklam, making the region particularly sensitive from a national security perspective.
This is not the first time that Chinese military aircraft have raised security concerns along the India-China border. There have been several reported incidents involving Chinese military aircraft and helicopters in the past.
June 2022: A Chinese military aircraft was reportedly spotted flying close to Indian military positions in eastern Ladakh, raising concerns among Indian security forces.
2020: During the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, Chinese military helicopters were reportedly observed operating close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
October 2017: Two Chinese helicopters reportedly entered Indian airspace in the Barahoti sector of Uttarakhand.
June 2017: Two Chinese Army helicopters reportedly hovered over Chamoli district in Uttarakhand for around five minutes, a few months before the Doklam standoff.
The latest allegation involving Sikkim has once again brought the security situation along the India-China border into focus.
However, the reported airspace violation is yet to be officially confirmed by Indian defence authorities. The exact circumstances of the incident and the government’s response remain unclear.
