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Published : 02 Apr 2025, 09:58 PM
Khalilur Rahman, the chief advisor's high representative on priority affairs, has moved to allay India's concerns over interim government leader Muhammad Yunus's remarks referencing India’s northeastern "Seven Sisters" states during his recent visit to China.
Speaking at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, Khalilur emphasised that Yunus had made the remarks in "good faith".
“This is not the first time the chief advisor has spoken about this,” he said.
“He made similar remarks in 2012 as well.”
The uproar stems from Yunus’s comments before Chinese business leaders in Beijing on Mar 28, where he described India’s northeastern region, often referred to as the Seven Sisters, as “landlocked areas” that rely on Bangladesh for access to the sea.
“We are the sole guardian of the sea for this region,” Yunus said.
“As a result, it opens up a huge potential. It can be an economic extension of China. Build, produce, market different things; bring things to China or send them all over the world.”
The statement has sparked strong backlash from Indian politicians, diplomats, and analysts.
Khalilur pointed to previous discussions on regional connectivity, noting that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had also raised the idea of integrating northwest India and Bangladesh into a broader economic framework during his visit to Delhi in 2023.
“Connectivity will open up the potential of this region, especially for those who have very difficult access to the sea,” Khalilur said.
“But we will not force connectivity. We are not in a position to give it either. If someone takes it, great; and if not, what will we do? We have nothing to do.”
Responding to the criticism, Khalilur said: "Now if the interpretation of this is given differently, we cannot stop that interpretation. We can only say this, we are interested in providing connectivity for the equitable benefit of all. It is good if someone takes it. If not, then don't take it!"
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the July Uprising, which led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024. An interim government has since taken charge under the leadership of Yunus.
In recent months, Dhaka and New Delhi have been offering conflicting statements on a range of issues.
Asked about the broader implications of Yunus’s visit to China, Khalilur dismissed concerns that Dhaka’s outreach to Beijing would come at the expense of its ties with New Delhi.
On the chief advisor's visit to China and a possible meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khalilur said, "These are not zero-sum games. If we engage with one country, it does not mean our relations with another will be damaged. We will try to go everywhere and move forward according to our convenience and mutual benefit.”
“That is why we want to maintain good relations with all countries. We don't want to move forward by excluding anyone."
