News Desk
DHAKA—Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s unelected Chief Adviser, appears to be charting a precarious foreign policy course, one that risks alienating India, the country’s largest and most influential neighbor. His recent remarks in Beijing, positioning Bangladesh as the “guardian of ocean access” for India’s Northeast and suggesting the region is “landlocked,” have sparked a political firestorm and raised questions about his diplomatic acumen.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar swiftly countered Yunus’ assertion, underscoring India’s vast coastline and strategic position in the Bay of Bengal. “We, after all, have the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, of almost 6,500 km,” Jaishankar noted, dismissing any suggestion that India’s Northeast is solely dependent on Bangladesh for maritime access. He also emphasized India’s role as a connectivity hub within BIMSTEC, the regional bloc that includes Bangladesh.
But Yunus’ comments were not merely rhetorical. His visit to China resulted in a raft of agreements, including a $2.1 billion financial package and a commitment to Beijing-led infrastructure projects, such as the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. His overtures to China have alarmed Indian policymakers, who view Dhaka’s strategic positioning as pivotal to regional stability.
Bangladesh’s pivot toward China has triggered backlash in India’s Northeast, where leaders across party lines denounced Yunus’ remarks. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma labeled them “offensive” and warned of their broader strategic implications. “Such provocative statements must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas,” Sarma posted on social media.
The remarks also revived security concerns around the “Chicken’s Neck” corridor, the narrow stretch of Indian territory connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country. “Historically, internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken’s Neck corridor,” Sarma added.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh accused Yunus of treating India’s Northeast as a “strategic pawn” in a geopolitical maneuver, warning against “reckless comments” that could damage bilateral ties.
Yunus’ diplomatic choices stand in stark contrast to his predecessor, Sheikh Hasina, who had long maintained balanced ties with both India and China. Under her leadership, Bangladesh allowed India access to the Chittagong Port via Tripura, fostering connectivity rather than friction.
While Dhaka’s interim leadership may believe it can cherry-pick alliances in its foreign relations, alienating India comes with serious risks. Trade, security cooperation, and regional stability hinge on constructive engagement, not antagonism. For an unelected leader like Yunus, whose legitimacy already faces scrutiny, choosing a path of confrontation with India may not only strain ties but also undermine Bangladesh’s own strategic interests.
