Northeast Leaders Condemn Muhammad Yunus’ Remarks, Call for Stronger Indian Response

Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has sparked a major controversy with his recent remarks during a visit to China, where he referred to India’s northeastern states as “landlocked” and positioned Bangladesh as their “guardian of ocean access.” His comments, made during a high-level meeting with Chinese officials, have drawn sharp criticism from political leaders across India’s northeastern region.

Yunus’ statement, which suggested that Bangladesh could serve as a strategic gateway for China’s economic expansion into the region, has been labeled “offensive and provocative” by Indian leaders. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the charge, condemning the remarks as an affront to India’s sovereignty and security. “This statement underscores the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India’s strategic ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor,” Sarma said, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure development to strengthen India’s control over the region.

Pradyot Manikya, chief of the Tipra Motha Party, took an even more aggressive stance, suggesting that India should consider breaking up Bangladesh to secure direct access to the sea. “Rather than spending billions on challenging engineering ideas, we might as well break up Bangladesh and have our own access to the sea,” Manikya stated, highlighting the historical and cultural ties of indigenous tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to India.

The remarks have also reignited discussions about the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country. Leaders have called for immediate investments in alternative road and rail networks to bypass the corridor and reduce dependency on external routes.

Yunus’ comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with China increasing its influence in South Asia. The backlash from Indian leaders underscores the sensitivity of the region’s strategic dynamics and the need for a strong and unified response to safeguard national interests. As the controversy unfolds, the focus remains on bolstering India’s infrastructure and addressing the challenges posed by external actors in the region.