Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has urged China to extend its economic influence into Bangladesh, suggesting that the landlocked northeastern states of India could present an opportunity for expansion.
During a recent four-day visit to China, Yunus met with President Xi Jinping, signing nine agreements between the two countries. His comments, which have sparked controversy, surfaced on social media on Monday.
Yunus, who spoke during his trip, pointed out that the seven northeastern states of India, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters,” are landlocked and have limited access to the ocean.
“The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean,” Yunus said.
Describing Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region, Yunus added that this situation could create a significant opportunity for China. He emphasised that this could allow for an extension of China’s economy into Bangladesh.
The video of Yunus’ remarks sparked a response from Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic advisory council.
Sanyal shared the video on X, questioning Yunus’ emphasis on India’s landlocked northeastern states.
“Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are land-locked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?” he posted.
While returning from China on Saturday, Yunus stressed the importance of fostering good relations with Beijing, stating, “It’s very important that we see China as our good friend.”
He expressed his belief that the bilateral relationship would enter a new phase, with China playing a balancing role against New Delhi.
During his time in China, Yunus participated in the Boao Forum for Asia and delivered a lecture at Peking University (PKU), where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
The visit also saw Bangladesh secure USD 2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants from China.
The two countries also signed nine agreements, with Yunus advocating for a larger role from China in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Among the agreements, China committed to participating in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), a joint initiative between China and Bangladesh.
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