Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus has received severe criticism over his recent remarks during his visit to China where he said that with Northeast India “landlocked”, Dhaka is the “only guardian of the ocean for all this region” and invited China to make the region “an extension of the Chinese economy”.
A video of his speech in China has gone viral on social media where Yunus can be heard saying, “Seven states of India, eastern part of India, called seven sisters … they are landlocked country, landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean… We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world.”
Reactions and criticism from India
Muhammad Yunus remarks targeting India’s Northeastern states have drawn sharp reactions in India.
Reacting to Yunus’ statement, Sanjeev Sanyal, member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic advisory council reacted on X, “Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are land-locked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?”
Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, also condemned Mr Yunus’ statement. “Very shocking statement by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He has absolutely no right to make a statement like that. He knows that the northeast is an integral part of India, and we have had very close discussions with the Government of Bangladesh on access by Northeast India to the Bay of Bengal, and there are formal agreements on this,” she told news agency ANI.
Criticising Muhammad Yunus’ statement, Defence expert Dhruv Katoch said, “He had no business bringing up India. If we have connectivity issues and how we connect to the oceans, that is a matter for our government, and we are handling it. The Kaladan River project will be completed soon. As far as access to the sea is concerned, we don’t need Bangladesh.”
“He is trying to tell China that Bangladesh’s unique location could provide China with access through India’s northeastern states to Nepal and Bhutan. But inserting India into the conversation in this way is threatening. Is he indirectly trying to say that Bangladesh could cut off India’s Northeast?” the Defence expert further commented.
Assam Chief Minister reacts
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has described Muhammad Yunus’ remarks as “offensive”. Hitting out at Yunus’ remarks, the CM said that it is imperative to develop more robust rail and road networks connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country.
“Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken’s Neck corridor. Additionally, exploring alternative road routes connecting the Northeast to mainland India, effectively bypassing the Chicken’s Neck, should be prioritised,” CM Sarma said.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also reacted saying Dhaka’s approach is dangerous for the Northeast and he also questioned the Centre’s foreign policy.
India Bangladesh relationship tensions
Md Yunus’ remarks targeting India come in the aftermath of the Sheikh Hasina regime and India giving refuge to the former Bangladesh Prime Minister who is ‘wanted’ in her country. Dhaka and Delhi have exchanged stern remarks after India raised concerns over reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh who are a minority.
