Priyanka Tiwari
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for referring to India’s northeastern states as "landlocked." He called the statement “offensive” and “strongly condemnable.”
Taking to social media, Sarma accused Yunus of attempting to portray Bangladesh as the key maritime gateway for Northeast India. He linked the remark to strategic vulnerabilities related to India’s Siliguri Corridor, also known as the "Chicken’s Neck."
Sarma Urges Strategic Infrastructure Development
In his post, Sarma emphasized the need to develop stronger road and rail infrastructure around and under the Chicken’s Neck. He also proposed exploring alternative routes to improve connectivity between Northeast India and the rest of the country.
“Such provocative statements must not be ignored,” he wrote. “They reflect deeper agendas and strategic ambitions that cannot be taken lightly.”
Yunus’ Comments During China Visit Spark Reaction
The controversy arose after a video of Yunus’ remarks surfaced online, where he suggested Bangladesh could serve as the “guardian of the ocean” for India’s northeastern states. The comments reportedly came during a recent visit to China, where Yunus signed nine bilateral agreements and met with President Xi Jinping.
Yunus had described the region as having no ocean access and positioned Bangladesh as a strategic maritime facilitator, a statement many Indian officials found problematic.
Indian Officials Question Intent Behind Statement
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, shared the video and raised concerns about Yunus’ motives. “Why is he publicly highlighting India’s landlocked states to China?” he questioned.
On his return from China, Yunus described Beijing as an important partner for Bangladesh and suggested that bilateral ties with China would move to a “new stage.”
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