New Delhi, November 15, 2026: A Chinese military aircraft reportedly entered Indian airspace over Sikkim on the morning of November 12 and remained in the area for 20–25 minutes despite repeated warnings from the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to an exclusive report by Outlook India citing an unnamed source. The development has drawn attention because of its proximity to the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor.
The source told Outlook that the IAF detected the aircraft’s movement around 8 am on November 12 at an altitude of approximately 25,000 feet. The IAF reportedly issued repeated radio warnings asking the aircraft to return to Chinese territory, but it continued hovering over the area. Details regarding the type of aircraft, its exact flight path, and the time it eventually left Indian airspace remain unclear.
The reported location overlooks the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow strip of land in West Bengal measuring about 20–22 km at its thinnest point. This corridor is the sole land link connecting India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country and lies close to the borders with China (Tibet Autonomous Region), Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Sikkim is also near the Doklam plateau, the site of a 73-day military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2017.
Outlook India stated that it had approached the IAF for an official comment and was awaiting a response at the time of publication. As of November 15, neither the IAF nor the Ministry of Defence had issued a detailed public confirmation or statement regarding the reported incident.
The report prompted a political reaction. The Congress party described the development as “extremely worrying,” called for a strong protest to be lodged with China, and questioned the government’s response, stating that it hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not give China a “clean chit.” No official government response to the alleged incident has been reported.
India and China have bilateral confidence-building measures, including the 1996 Agreement on Confidence Building Measures, which provide mechanisms to address alleged airspace intrusions along the border, such as flag meetings and investigations. Past reports have noted Chinese military aircraft and helicopter activity near the Line of Actual Control in sectors including Ladakh and Uttarakhand, though those incidents varied in nature and official handling.
The absence of official confirmation and incomplete technical details mean the precise circumstances of the November 12 movement remain subject to verification by defence authorities. The episode has nonetheless highlighted ongoing sensitivities in the eastern sector of the India-China border.
