Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has lashed out at Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus’ remarks on the states of Northeast India, calling it “offensive” and “strongly condemnable”.
In a video which went viral on social media, Yunus was probably during his four-day trip to China when he had made a controversial comment that referred to India’s Northeast as an opportunity for Beijing’s economic expansion.
Yunus was heard saying, “The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean… This opens up a huge possibility. This could be an extension for the Chinese economy.”
Yunus Factor
Besides condemning the remarks, Sarma, who heads one of the Northeast Indian states, has alerted New Delhi, saying Yunus’ words should not be taken lightly.
“The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh so called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access, is offensive and strongly condemnable. This remark underscores the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India’s strategic “Chicken’s Neck” corridor,” said Biswa Sarma.
“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 prioritized.”
The Chief Minister added, “Though this may pose significant engineering challenges, it is achievable with determination and innovation. Such provocative statements by Md Younis must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas.”
Pradyot Manikya, who heads the Tipra Motha Party in the Northeastern state of Tripura, suggested Sarma splitting of Bangladesh instead of an infra push to “have our own access to the sea”.
He wrote on X, “Rather than spending billions on innovative and challenging engineering ideas, we might as well break up Bangladesh and have our own access to the sea. The Chittagong Hill Tracts were always inhabited by indigenous tribes, which have always wanted to be part of India since 1947.
“There are lakhs and lakhs of Tripuri, Garo, Khasi and Chakma people who reside in Bangladesh in terrible conditions in their traditional lands. This should be utilised for our national interest and for their well being,” Manikya wrote.
The Congress, the primary opposition party in India, has viewed Yunus’ remarks as Bangladesh’s effort to “encircle India” and the country’s attitude as dangerous to India’s Northeast.
Blaming the Modi government’s foreign policy, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “Bangladesh is inviting China to encircle India. This attitude of the Bangladesh government is very dangerous for the security of our North East region. The government is not taking care of Manipur and China has already settled villages in Arunachal.
“Our foreign policy is in such a pathetic state that the country in whose creation India had a major role, is also today engaged in rallying against us,” Khera said.
India–Bangladesh bond
The bilateral tension between India and Bangladesh brewed after the fall of the pro-Delhi Sheikh Hasina government in August last year followed by attacks on Hindus in the South Asian Muslim-majority country.
After Hasina fled to India, facing violent protests that started with anti-quota agitation, Yunus was appointed as the advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh.
