New Delhi: In a daring move, Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, has ignited a firestorm with his recent remarks about India’s Northeastern states. During a trip to China, Yunus positioned Bangladesh as the guardian of the ocean for these landlocked Indian regions, sparking sharp reactions across the political spectrum in India. The comments, widely circulated on social media, have not only strained India-Bangladesh relations but also heightened concerns about China’s growing influence in the region.
At the heart of the controversy is Yunus’s characterization of India’s Northeastern states, collectively known as the Seven Sisters, as a landlocked region dependent on Bangladesh for ocean access. This claim was met with indignation from Indian leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who described Yunus’s remarks as “offensive.” Sarma emphasized the need for enhanced connectivity and infrastructure development in the Northeast, highlighting the strategic importance of the region.
The timing of Yunus’s comments is particularly sensitive, coming as they do amid Bangladesh’s outreach to China and the ongoing geopolitical shifts in South Asia following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. These developments have fueled tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, with both sides exchanging stern remarks over issues like minority rights and economic ties.
Adding to the debate, Pradyot Manikya, the leader of the Tipra Motha party in Tripura, suggested that India should explore alternatives to secure its own ocean access, rather than relying on Bangladesh. This perspective is anchored in historical and cultural ties between indigenous communities in India and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera voiced concerns that Bangladesh’s overtures to China could pose significant security risks for India’s Northeast. He critiqued India’s foreign policy, suggesting it has failed to adequately address these emerging challenges.
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, questioned the rationale behind Yunus’s emphasis on the Seven Sisters being landlocked, especially as it pertains to Chinese investments in Bangladesh. His remarks underscored the puzzlement among Indian officials about why Bangladesh would highlight India’s internal geography in its pitch to China.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, condemned Yunus’s statement, pointing out that Bangladesh has no right to make such assertions about India’s territorial integrity. Sikri emphasized that there are formal agreements between India and Bangladesh regarding access to the Bay of Bengal, which Yunus seemed to overlook in his remarks.
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