Mohammad Yunus Eyes India’s Northeast, Offers China Support

New Delhi : In a statement that has sparked concern in India, Bangladeshi leader Mohammad Yunus made remarks in Beijing that hint at a potential shift in regional dynamics. During his visit to China, Yunus openly discussed India’s northeastern states, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters,” calling them a crucial part of India’s geopolitical framework. His comments have been perceived as an indirect challenge to India’s territorial security, especially given the historical and strategic significance of the region.

Yunus, while addressing a diplomatic gathering, reportedly offered China greater engagement in South Asia, particularly in regions bordering India. His remarks have raised speculation about whether Bangladesh is seeking to forge closer ties with Beijing at the expense of its longstanding relationship with India. While he did not explicitly outline a strategy, his reference to the northeastern states as “India’s neck” has been interpreted as a veiled signal of strategic interest.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is strengthening diplomatic relations with India, seeking to maintain stability in the region. However, Yunus’s remarks indicate a contrasting approach, one that leans towards closer economic and political collaboration with China. This has raised concerns in New Delhi about whether Bangladesh could be shifting its foreign policy stance in favor of China’s expanding influence in South Asia.

China has been making strategic inroads into South Asia through infrastructure projects, trade agreements, and diplomatic outreach. With Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) already extending into Bangladesh, any further deepening of ties could alter the power balance in the region. Indian officials are closely monitoring these developments, as they could have long-term implications for security, trade, and diplomatic relations between the three countries.

India’s northeastern states hold immense strategic importance due to their proximity to China and Myanmar. The region has witnessed infrastructural development and increased military presence over the years to counter any external threats. Yunus’s remarks, therefore, are being viewed as an attempt to stir diplomatic tensions, possibly as part of a larger geopolitical strategy.

While the Bangladeshi government has not officially commented on Yunus’s statements, analysts believe that his remarks reflect an emerging trend of South Asian nations re-evaluating their alliances in the face of China’s growing influence. New Delhi, meanwhile, remains cautious, emphasizing diplomatic engagement to counter any potential threats arising from changing regional dynamics.

As China continues to assert itself in South Asia, India is expected to bolster its diplomatic and economic initiatives to maintain its influence in the region. The coming months will reveal whether Yunus’s statements were an isolated diplomatic maneuver or a sign of deeper geopolitical shifts in South Asia.