'Must Not Be Taken Lightly': Himanta Condemns Bangladesh's Northeast 'Landlocked' Remark In China

The Assam CM condemned Yunus' "offensive" remarks on Northeast India, adding that they "must not be taken lightly" as they reflected "deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas".

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday condemned the "offensive" remark made by Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Northeast India during his recent China visit. Yunus had called Bangladesh the "only guardian" of the Indian Ocean for the region as the seven Northeast Indian states are "landlocked".

"The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh so called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access, is offensive and strongly condemnable," the Assam CM wrote in a post on X.

The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh so called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access, is offensive and strongly condemnable. This remark underscores the…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 1, 2025

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Yunus' Northeast 'Landlocked' Remark

Yunus, who was in China on a four-day visit, said that the India's seven Northeast states are "landlocked" and suggested that Bangladesh could serve as a gateway to the ocean for the region. A video from his visit was widely shared on social media, wherein Yunus can be heard encouraging China to establish an economic base in Bangladesh, calling it the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region. 

"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," he said.

"We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world," he said.

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Reacting to this remark, the Assam CM said that it "underscores the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India’s strategic 'Chicken’s Neck' corridor."

"Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken’s Neck corridor," he added.

Sarma further urged India to not take Yunus' remarks lightly as it reflected "deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas". He also called for building alternative road routes to Northeast India.

"Additionally, exploring alternative road routes connecting the Northeast to mainland India, effectively bypassing the Chicken’s Neck, should be prioritized. Though this may pose significant engineering challenges, it is achievable with determination and innovation. Such provocative statements by Md Younis must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas," the CM said.

Yunus met President Xi Jinping and signed nine agreements with Beijing during the four-day trip. While embarking on his return journey on Saturday, he had said in China that it is "important" for Bangladesh to see Beijing as a "good friend".

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