Bangladesh-China Ties Deepen as Yunus Stirs Controversy by Calling Northeast India ‘Landlocked’
In a move that marks a significant shift in South Asia’s strategic landscape, Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, recently concluded a four-day official visit to China. The high-level diplomatic engagement not only underscored deepening bilateral ties between Dhaka and Beijing but also ignited a geopolitical stir after Yunus referred to India’s northeastern states as “landlocked” — a remark that has drawn sharp reactions from Indian political leadership.
A Strengthening Axis: Bangladesh and China
Yunus’s visit to China came at a time when both nations appear eager to solidify economic and political cooperation. During his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s desire to bolster its relationship with China, particularly in trade, investment, infrastructure, and energy.
A key topic of discussion during the visit was the potential easing of terms on Chinese loans to Bangladesh. Reports indicate that Xi Jinping expressed willingness to consider lowering the interest rates on existing and future loans, a move that could relieve mounting fiscal pressures on Dhaka as it continues ambitious infrastructure projects, many of which are funded under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Beyond economic relief, Bangladesh is seeking expanded Chinese investments, particularly in its manufacturing sector. Yunus also discussed collaboration in water resource management, an area of critical importance to Bangladesh given its vulnerability to climate change and seasonal flooding.
The visit culminated in the signing of a comprehensive economic and technical cooperation agreement, along with eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs). These MoUs focused on a range of areas, including cultural exchanges, infrastructure development, and educational partnerships.
A Strategic Assertion and Regional Ripples
While the visit was hailed as a success in Dhaka and Beijing, Yunus’s comments during his speeches and interviews caused ripples across the region. In particular, he described India’s northeastern states as “landlocked” and pointed out that Bangladesh serves as their vital corridor to the Bay of Bengal. He went further to suggest that Bangladesh could effectively act as an “extension of the Chinese economy” by facilitating connectivity and trade through its territory.
Yunus’s remarks, though couched in the language of regional integration and economic opportunity, have been perceived in India as both a diplomatic slight and a strategic warning. The assertion of Bangladesh as a “gateway” to the Indian Northeast for China is particularly provocative given the historical and geopolitical sensitivities in the region — especially around the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects mainland India to its northeastern states.
India Responds: A Sharp Rebuttal from the Northeast
Indian leaders wasted no time in responding. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a strong condemnation of Yunus’s remarks, calling them “offensive” and “strongly condemnable.” He emphasized that the northeastern states are sovereign parts of India and rejected any suggestion that they were dependent on Bangladesh for access or development.
Sarma also criticized the broader implication of Yunus’s comments — that China could play a role in the development of India’s Northeast. “India will never allow any external force to meddle in our internal affairs,” he said, warning that such narratives could erode trust between neighboring countries.
His response reflects broader concerns within the Indian strategic community about growing Chinese influence in South Asia — particularly in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal — and how this could be used to encircle or undermine India’s regional position.
Geopolitical Stakes and the Road Ahead
Yunus’s visit and his controversial statements underscore the shifting sands of South Asian geopolitics. Bangladesh’s closer embrace of China is not new, but it has gained fresh momentum amid Dhaka’s frustrations with recent Indian visa policies, especially those related to medical travel. With China quick to seize the opportunity to offer assistance, including medical support, it is positioning itself as an alternative partner to India.
For India, the challenge now lies in recalibrating its neighborhood diplomacy. While strategic projects like the Act East Policy and BIMSTEC aim to integrate the Northeast with Southeast Asia through India’s own infrastructure and alliances, competing regional narratives — such as the one advanced by Yunus — could complicate that vision.
As Bangladesh continues to deepen its partnership with China, India may need to respond with a renewed diplomatic and economic engagement in the region. The growing competition for influence in South Asia is not just about economics; it is about narratives, sovereignty, and strategic access — all of which were brought to the forefront during Yunus’s visit.
What remains to be seen is whether this episode marks a fleeting diplomatic misstep or the beginning of a more pronounced regional realignment — one where Bangladesh plays a pivotal role as a bridge between South and East Asia, but not necessarily under India’s shadow.
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