China Eyes Bangladesh-Myanmar Corridor After CPEC
China has revived its proposal for the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor (CMBC), signalling a fresh effort to expand its connectivity network across South Asia. The proposed corridor would link Yunnan province with Bangladesh through Myanmar, creating a direct land route to the Bay of Bengal. The proposal gained fresh momentum during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping backed stronger regional connectivity and broader economic cooperation. In addition, China and Bangladesh agreed to deepen cooperation on the Teesta River management project, flood control, irrigation, the green economy, the digital economy, and the development of an economic zone near Mongla Port.
The renewed proposal follows China’s long-term investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which already connects western China with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. Beijing now appears to be pursuing a complementary route on India’s eastern flank to improve access to another major maritime gateway. Critics say the proposal reflects Beijing’s growing strategic ambitions and could further intensify geopolitical competition in South Asia.
China Restarts CMBC to Strengthen Bay of Bengal Access Without India
The proposed CMBC would begin in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, before passing through Mandalay and Rakhine State in Myanmar. It would then extend to Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh, while another branch would connect to Yangon and the deep-sea port of Kyaukphyu. The planned route aims to improve road, rail, and logistics connectivity between southwestern China and the Bay of Bengal, giving Beijing another important trade corridor alongside its existing regional infrastructure projects.
The corridor is a revised version of the earlier BCIM Economic Corridor, first proposed in the late 1990s to connect Kunming, Mandalay, Dhaka, and Kolkata. The original proposal gradually stalled after India stepped back because of strategic concerns over the Belt and Road Initiative, and BCIM disappeared from the official BRI framework by 2019. However, the revived CMBC faces significant challenges. A key section would pass through Myanmar’s conflict-hit Rakhine State, where security remains fragile. According to a June 2026 United Nations Security Council briefing, Myanmar’s military government controls only about 20% of the country’s territory. In addition, Bangladesh has not approved the proposal and has said any overland connectivity through Myanmar will depend on lasting peace and stability.
Why the Proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar Corridor Matters for India
The proposed CMBC has drawn close attention because it would run near India’s northeastern region and could strengthen China’s access to the Bay of Bengal. Analysts say the two routes (CMBC and CPEC) together could expand China’s strategic presence across both India’s eastern and western maritime approaches.the project may also increase Beijing’s influence around the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck” a narrow 22-kilometre land corridor that connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. In addition, the proposal has revived debate over regional connectivity, South Asian geopolitics, and the broader balance of power in the region.
New Delhi continues to closely monitor Chinese-backed infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including the Mongla Port economic zone, the Teesta River management project, and other connectivity initiatives because of their wider strategic implications. Experts say the progress of these projects could have significant implications for India’s security, regional diplomacy, and the strategic balance in South Asia in the years ahead.
Web Resources on China Revives Bangladesh-Myanmar Corridor
1. The Times Of India : Beijing pushes for a China-Pakistan-style economic corridor with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
2. MSN.com : China revives Bangladesh-Myanmar corridor plan near India border.
3. NDTV.com : After Pak, It’s Bangladesh, Myanmar: China Plans New Corridor Bordering India.