Jaishankar Rebuts Bangladesh’s Yunus Over Northeast India Remarks
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued a firm response to comments made by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who described India’s Northeast as “landlocked” and claimed Bangladesh is the “guardian of its access to the sea.” Jaishankar dismissed the remarks as selective and misleading, stating that India has a 6,500-kilometre-long coastline and does not rely on any single nation for maritime access.
He emphasized that India’s northeastern region is rapidly transforming into a vital connectivity hub, supported by a growing network of roads, railways, power grids, waterways, and pipelines. Jaishankar highlighted that regional cooperation, particularly through platforms like BIMSTEC, should not be subject to cherry-picking or narrow interpretations.
According to him, Northeast India is becoming more integrated not only within India but with the broader Bay of Bengal region, aligning with India’s broader strategic goals under the Act East policy.
Political Leaders Reject ‘Landlocked’ Label
The statements by Muhammad Yunus have drawn sharp criticism from Indian political figures. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the comments “offensive” and “condemnable,” asserting that such narratives undermine India’s sovereignty and development efforts in the region.
Sarma stressed the need to continue building strong infrastructure in the Northeast to remove historical connectivity gaps and reduce dependence on narrow corridors. He reiterated that the region is integral to India’s growth story and is no longer isolated in any practical or economic sense.
Regional Cooperation and Strategic Sensitivities
Yunus’s remarks come at a time when Bangladesh is deepening its ties with China, having recently signed multiple bilateral agreements and received a large financial package. His call for China to expand its economic footprint in Bangladesh has sparked strategic concern in India, which is closely monitoring shifts in regional alliances.
India, meanwhile, is positioning the Northeast as a gateway to Southeast Asia, aiming to strengthen trade, transit, and security partnerships in the region. The government continues to underline the importance of mutual respect, balanced cooperation, and non-interference in regional discourse.
By countering narratives that portray the Northeast as dependent or disconnected, India signals its intent to maintain strategic autonomy while expanding constructive regional engagement.
