Bangladesh's chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, recently made a controversial statement during his China visit. Referring to India's northeastern states, he stated that these states are "landlocked" and lack access to the sea.
Dhaka: Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's chief advisor, recently urged China to increase its economic influence in Bangladesh. He suggested that the landlocked nature of India's northeastern states presents an opportunity that could benefit China. Yunus's comment, made during a recent four-day trip to China, surfaced on social media on Monday. The statement discussed the potential for strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and China, portraying the geographical location of India's northeastern states as a strategic opportunity for China.
An Opportunity for China
Muhammad Yunus met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and signed nine economic agreements between the two countries. On this occasion, he stated, "The landlocked nature of India's northeastern states could be an opportunity for China. Bangladesh is the only route to the sea in this region." Yunus invited China to expand its economic presence in Bangladesh.
India's Response
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic advisory council, bly reacted to Yunus's statement. Sharing a video on social media, he questioned the mention of India's seven landlocked states. Sanyal welcomed Chinese investment in Bangladesh but questioned the specific mention of India's northeastern states.
Political Controversy
Yunus's statement has also caused a stir in Indian political circles. The Congress party described it as dangerous for the security of the northeastern region. A party spokesperson stated that Bangladesh's invitation to China is a serious move against India's security interests. Yunus, in his statement, referred to China as a 'friend' of Bangladesh, suggesting that bilateral relations would enter a new phase. He presented China as a balancing factor against India.
