Dhaka
Chief Advisor and Interim Prime Minister Professor Muhammad Yunus made a disputed statement against India during a visit to China, causing a stir in diplomatic circles. He described the northeastern states of India as “Landlocked” (Sthavaruddha) and claimed that Bangladesh is the only patron for the region to reach the sea. Yunus, in his speech, invited China to increase investment in Bangladesh and said that Bangladesh can become a “expansion” of the Chinese economy. He said, “Seven states of India, called ‘seven sisters’, are strips. They have no way to reach the sea. We are the only patron of the sea for this entire region. This opens new possibilities. It can expand the Chinese economy.”
Bangladesh-China growing proximity
During this visit to Younus, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and demanded more investment to revive Bangladesh’s weak economy. He said, “It is very important that we see China as our good friend. We need China’s cooperation for economic stability and development of infrastructure.” This statement comes at a time when China is trying to increase its strategic appearance in Bangladesh and there is a change in India-Bangladesh relations. Experts believe that ** Bangladesh’s growing dependence on China can become a new challenge for India on security and diplomatic front.
Also mentioned Nepal and Bhutan
Yunus mentioned not only India, but also Nepal and Bhutan. He said, “Nepal and Bhutan have unlimited hydropower capacity, which is a boon for us. We can use it. You can go anywhere from Bangladesh. It is the only entrance to the sea for the region.”
India’s strict reactions
Yunus’s statement has received sharp reactions in India. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described it as “derogatory and condemnable”. He said that this statement highlights the sensitivity of India’s strategic ‘Chicken Nek’ corridor. He appealed to the Government of India to develop a strong railway and road network to connect the northeast to the mainland. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the Government of India, said, “If China wants to invest in Bangladesh, then do it, but what is the relation of the northeastern states of India to be stable?”
Security analyst also objected
Defense expert Dhruv Katoch called it a warning for India and said that Younis is giving a message to China that Bangladesh can give China a way to transport China to the northeastern states of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Political and security analyst Chris Blackburn also objected to this statement and said, “This is a very disturbing statement. Is Younus openly inviting China to intervene in seven northeastern states of India?” Defense experts believe that Younus’s statement may be a warning for India as China has already built important infrastructure, dams and villages near Arunachal Pradesh.
Growing challenge for India
China is continuously strengthening its strategic hold in the northeastern region of India. It has already started several infrastructure projects near Arunachal Pradesh and describes it as part of “South Tibet”. India is also constructing the Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913) to counter this challenge, which is considered to be the most important boundary project in the country.
