Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, in his farewell address on Monday, triggered sharp reactions in India after invoking the country’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” states alongside Nepal and Bhutan while outlining a sub-regional economic vision.
India has consistently rejected any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs. However, Yunus — whose tenure witnessed a surge in anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh — persisted with remarks seen as provocative by New Delhi.
Yunus had taken charge as interim head of government after the 2024 student-led uprising that resulted in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Announcing his exit as head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Yunus asserted that Dhaka would no longer follow what he termed a “submissive” foreign policy or depend on the advice and direction of other nations. The comment has been widely interpreted as an indirect swipe at New Delhi, particularly amid recent tensions in bilateral ties.
During his speech, Yunus described Bangladesh’s maritime access as a “strategic asset” capable of transforming the country into a regional economic hub. He underscored the scope for closer cooperation with neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, while also referencing India’s northeastern states — commonly known as the “Seven Sisters” — without naming India directly.
“Our open sea is not only a geographical boundary, it is an open door to engage with the world economy for Bangladesh. This region, along with Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters, has great economic potential,” he said.
From India’s perspective, grouping the northeastern states — an inseparable part of the Indian Union — alongside sovereign countries has raised concerns. Many argue that such phrasing blurs established political boundaries and risks projecting the region as distinct from India’s national framework. The move is being viewed as diplomatically insensitive and potentially complicating efforts to stabilise India-Bangladesh ties under the incoming government.
The remark is being viewed as Yunus’s attempt to needle India’s landlocked northeast states and position Bangladesh as the primary gateway to the region.
Yunus had made a similar remark during a visit to China last year, when he described the northeastern states as landlocked and said Bangladesh was the “only guardian of the sea” for the region — a comment that had also sparked debate in India.
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The remarks come at a time when Yunus is facing growing criticism within Bangladesh over his interim administration’s handling of minority safety, democratic transition and foreign relations, adding further complexity to Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi.
The Nobel laureate also moved closer to China and Pakistan, a shift that strained ties with India, which has long stood by Bangladesh during times of crisis.
The BNP, headed by Tarique Rahman, won 209 of 297 seats in the February 12 parliamentary elections and is set to form the next government on Tuesday.
