Recent statements and actions involving Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, have raised concerns in India, particularly regarding the security and strategic importance of its Northeastern states. These concerns stem from Yunus's remarks made during a visit to China, coupled with actions from individuals close to his government, which New Delhi perceives as a potential threat to its territorial integrity and regional influence.
Yunus's comments in China, where he described the Northeastern states of India as "landlocked" and asserted that Bangladesh is the "only guardian of the ocean" for the region, have been interpreted as a veiled attempt to invite Chinese influence in the area. This has triggered strong reactions from India's political and security establishment. Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, for instance, condemned Yunus's statement as "offensive" and "strongly condemnable," highlighting the vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the "Chicken's Neck." This narrow strip of land connects the Northeastern states to the rest of India and is a long-standing strategic concern for Indian security planners.
Adding fuel to the fire, a former Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman, who is reportedly close to Yunus, issued a threat to occupy India's Northeastern states in the event of a war with Pakistan. While the Yunus regime has distanced itself from these remarks, claiming they do not reflect the government's official stance, the incident has further strained relations between the two countries. It's also worth noting that this isn't the first instance of an advisor to the Yunus-led government making threatening remarks against India.
India has responded to these developments with a mix of diplomatic and strategic measures. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a sharp rebuttal to Yunus's remarks, emphasizing India's strategic role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and highlighting the country's extensive coastline and geographical linkages with other member states. India has also withdrawn the transshipment facility it had extended to Bangladesh for exports to the Middle East, Europe, and other global markets. This move is seen as a direct response to Yunus's controversial remarks and underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its national interests and the security of the Northeast region.
Furthermore, India is focusing on strengthening its connectivity infrastructure to bypass the "Chicken's Neck" corridor and reduce its dependence on Bangladesh for access to the Northeastern states. This includes developing more robust railway and road networks, as well as exploring alternative routes through Myanmar, such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Project.
The situation is further complicated by the internal political dynamics in Bangladesh, including the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the rise of the Yunus-led interim government. This has led to a deterioration in bilateral relations, with India expressing concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh and Dhaka reaching out to Pakistan, India's arch-rival.
Looking ahead, New Delhi faces the challenge of balancing its response to Yunus's actions with the need to maintain stability in the region. While India has taken a firm stance in asserting its strategic interests and protecting its territorial integrity, it also needs to carefully consider the potential implications of its actions on the broader geopolitical landscape and its relationship with Bangladesh.
