Chicken Neck Bypass: Himanta Biswa Sarma Reprimands Mohammad Yunus; Offers Key Suggestions to Modi Government on ‘Chicken Neck’
Amid the buzz of Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, the arrogance of the interim government chief, Mohammad Yunus, has begun to surface. His recent comments have exposed both his and the country’s true stance. Yunus not only referred to the seven northeastern states of India but also mentioned borders with Nepal and Bhutan. He went as far as calling Bangladesh the “sole guardian of the ocean” and inviting China to invest in Bangladesh.
Expansion
On Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly responded to the controversial statement made by Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. Yunus had claimed that Bangladesh was the only regional guardian of the sea. Sarma condemned this statement, calling it deeply insulting. Yunus had also urged China to expand its economic footprint in Bangladesh, while referencing the landlocked northeastern states of India as potential opportunities. His remarks, made during a recent four-day visit to China, surfaced on social media on Monday.
CM Sarma took to ‘X’ to express his disapproval, stating, “Mohammad Yunus’ statement is reprehensible. He has referred to the seven states of Northeast India as landlocked and Bangladesh as the ‘guardian’ of their access to the ocean. This is outrageous and deserves strong condemnation.”
He further emphasized, “Such provocative statements by Mohammad Yunus must not be ignored. They carry significant strategic implications and reflect a long-term agenda.” Sarma highlighted that Yunus’ comments were a reflection of ongoing concerns regarding India’s strategic ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor. Historically, there have been dangerous suggestions from within the country to disrupt this crucial route that connects Northeast India to the rest of India. Sarma stressed the need to improve rail and road networks around the Chicken Neck corridor.
Additionally, CM Sarma called for prioritizing the exploration and development of alternative routes linking Northeast India with the rest of India. He acknowledged the engineering challenges such projects would pose but assured that with innovation and determination, such objectives could be achieved.
What Did Mohammad Yunus Say?
Amid Bangladesh’s political instability, Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the interim government, made a comment that exposed the true nature of the country’s leadership. During his four-day visit to China, Yunus remarked on the geopolitical significance of the northeastern Indian states. He mentioned that the seven northeastern states were landlocked and referred to Bangladesh as the “sole guardian” of these states’ access to the sea.
In a Facebook video, Yunus stated, “The seven states of India, known as the Seven Sisters, are landlocked. They have no way to reach the sea. We are the only guardians of the sea in this region. This opens up endless possibilities.” He made these comments during a roundtable discussion on sustainable infrastructure and energy at a Beijing hotel.
Yunus’ Appeal to China
Yunus also invited China to move its factories to Bangladesh, pointing out the strategic location of the country. Bangladesh shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and seven states of India, positioning it as a gateway to the Northeast. He emphasized the potential of Bangladeshi youth and suggested that the Chinese economy could significantly benefit from expanding into Bangladesh.
Yunus’ remarks have sparked controversy, shedding light on the ambitions and growing arrogance of Bangladesh’s interim government, while also raising concerns about India’s vulnerable strategic corridor.
