Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has courted controversy with his remarks during a recent trip to China, where he indicated that China's economic reach could reach Bangladesh by using the landlocked northeastern Indian states. Yunus, who met Chinese President Xi Jinping and signed nine deals during the four-day visit, described the seven Indian northeastern states, dubbed the "seven sisters," as a landlocked territory that has no direct connection to the sea. Yunus said Bangladesh is the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region, and it can serve as a gateway for China to further its economic power.
His remarks, particularly the reference to India's northeastern states, have raised eyebrows. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic advisory council, questioned the significance of Yunus' statement on social media, pointing out that while China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, the mention of India’s landlocked states seemed unnecessary.
Yunus, on his China visit, laid stress on developing strong bilateral relations with China and referred to Beijing as a "good friend" and counterweight to India. He hoped the Bangladesh-China relationship would enter a new era. This was stated by him after he was conferred an honorary doctorate by Peking University and spoke during the occasion on the subject.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China inked nine agreements, among which was a major commitment of USD 2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants by China. The agreements also covered Chinese involvement in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, a landmark project in Bangladesh.
Yunus' comments regarding India's northeast and his focus on China's presence in Bangladesh's future have raised controversy, particularly against the backdrop of the sensitive geopolitical equation between India, Bangladesh, and China. His trip to China and the deals sealed are being interpreted as a move towards consolidating relations with Beijing, but these have also generated apprehensions regarding the possible implications for Bangladesh's relationship with its immediate neighbors, notably India.
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