Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s temporary government, caused a stir during his recent trip to China. In a video that went viral, he told China to consider investing more in Bangladesh. He also mentioned India’s northeastern states, calling them “landlocked” and without direct access to the ocean.
Yunus explained that the seven northeastern states of India, known as the “Seven Sisters,” don’t have sea access. He stated, “We are the only guardians of the ocean for all this region. This opens up big possibilities for economic activities.” He suggested that China could use Bangladesh as a gateway to trade with these Indian states and beyond.
During his visit, Yunus met Chinese President Xi Jinping and sought help in managing river water, especially concerning the Teesta River. He said, “We have come here to learn how to make water resources useful to people.”
India Responds to Yunus’ Comments
Sanjeev Sanyal, part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic team, reacted to Yunus’ statements. He shared the video and questioned what it meant to say the Indian states are landlocked. Defence expert Dhruv Katoch also criticized Yunus, saying he shouldn’t have brought up India and that India is already working on its connectivity issues through projects like the Kaladan River project.
Some experts think Yunus is trying to signal to both India and China about Bangladesh’s strategic location, suggesting it could help China connect to India’s northeastern states.
Bangladesh and China’s Economic Talks
During Yunus’ visit, Bangladesh and China discussed new agreements to share water information and improve maritime cooperation. Bangladesh welcomed Chinese investment for projects like modernizing the Mongla Port and developing an Economic Zone in Chattogram. China promised about $400 million for the port and $350 million for the Economic Zone.
Struggles or Strategy?
Retired defence expert Captain Anil Gaur linked Yunus’ comments to the economic difficulties in Bangladesh. He claimed Yunus is seeking Chinese funding because Bangladesh is struggling economically. Earlier support from the USAID has stopped, leaving Bangladesh in a challenging situation. However, he reassured that India remains strong and is managing the situation well.
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