Assam CM slams Bangladesh’s Yunus over northeast India remarks, urges strategic shift

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly condemned remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim government chief advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, about the status of Northeast India. The controversy erupted after Yunus described the region as “landlocked” and positioned Bangladesh as its “guardian of ocean access.”

Sarma, in a scathing response on April 1, labeled the statement as “offensive and strongly condemnable.” He took to X to push back against what he described as an outdated and problematic narrative surrounding the region’s strategic vulnerability.

“The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh’s so-called interim government, referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access, is offensive and strongly condemnable,” Sarma wrote.

His remarks come just a day after video clips surfaced of Yunus’s speech advocating for the “extension of the Chinese economy” and emphasizing Bangladesh’s role as the “only guardian of the ocean” for the region. The Bangladeshi leader had made the statements during a four-day visit to China last week, sparking concern in diplomatic circles.

Push for alternative route

Sarma highlighted the long-standing vulnerabilities linked to the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor — a narrow passage in North Bengal that serves as the crucial link between Northeast India and the rest of the country. He called for strategic infrastructure projects to reduce dependence on this corridor, citing both economic and security concerns.

“Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken’s Neck corridor,” Sarma stated.

For India, the dependence on the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ has long been a geopolitical and economic challenge. Over the past 15 years, New Delhi has worked closely with Dhaka to establish transit options through Bangladesh, especially under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Sarma proposed that India explore alternative rail and road routes to ensure better connectivity for the Northeast, even if such projects pose significant engineering challenges. “Though this may be complex, it is achievable with determination and innovation,” he asserted.

Strategic implications

Yunus’s remarks have raised concerns in New Delhi, particularly as Bangladesh appears to be strengthening its partnership with China. His comments are being interpreted as a signal of Dhaka’s growing assertiveness over regional access and influence.

“Such provocative statements by Md Younis must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas,” Sarma cautioned.

With China increasingly being positioned as a key partner for Bangladesh, India is now facing a more complex regional dynamic. The situation underscores the need for urgent infrastructural and diplomatic recalibrations to secure Northeast India’s connectivity and strategic autonomy.