‘7 states of India are landlocked’: Yunus says Bangladesh ‘solely guardian of ocean’, invitations China to make ‘extension’

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh‘s interim authorities chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, who was on a four-day go to to China, invited Beijing to make an “extension” within the area whereas mentioning that the seven northeastern states of India stay landlocked.
In a broadly circulated video on social media, Yunus inspired the Chinese language authorities to ascertain an financial base in Bangladesh, emphasising that Dhaka is the “sole guardian of the ocean” within the area.

“Seven states of India, japanese a part of India, referred to as seven sisters … they’re landlocked nation, landlocked area of India. They don’t have any method to attain out to the ocean,” Yunus mentioned within the video.
“We’re the one guardian of the ocean for all this area. So this opens up an enormous chance. So this may very well be an extension of the Chinese language economic system. Construct issues, produce issues, market issues, convey issues to China, convey it out to the entire remainder of the world,” Yunus mentioned.
Sanjeev Sanyal, at present a member of PM Narendra Modi’s financial advisory council, shared the video on X and wrote: “Attention-grabbing that Yunus is making a public attraction to the Chinese language on the idea that 7 states in India are land-locked. China is welcome to spend money on Bangladesh, however what precisely is the importance of seven Indian states being landlocked?”
Yunus, who met Xi Jinping throughout his four-day go to, additionally sought a 50-year grasp plan from Beijing for its river water administration, together with that of the Teesta river, co-shared by the Indian upstream area, calling China the “grasp of water administration”.
“We’ve got come right here to be taught from you; how we are able to make water assets helpful to individuals,” state-run information company Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) quoted him as saying.
He notably identified the problems associated to the ‘Teesta River System’ however added, nevertheless, that “Bangladesh’s drawback lies not simply with one river, however with the (complete) system”.
The ousted Hasina authorities had sought India’s involvement within the Teesta River basin venture.
In the meantime, Bangladesh and China held optimistic discussions on signing the Implementation Plan of the MoU on the Trade of Hydrological Info for the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River, which originates in China and flows into Bangladesh after passing by means of a major stretch of Indian territory.
The 2 nations additionally agreed to reinforce maritime cooperation and plan to carry a brand new spherical of Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation at an acceptable time.
“Bangladesh welcomes Chinese language firms to take part within the Mongla Port Amenities Modernisation and Growth Venture and is able to collaborate with China to additional develop the Chinese language Financial and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram,” the assertion mentioned.
In response to BSS, China has deliberate to offer roughly $400 million for the modernization of Bangladesh’s southwestern Mongla seaport, $350 million for the event of the China Industrial Financial Zone, and one other $150 million as technical help.
“The remaining funds will probably be offered as grants and different types of monetary assist,” the BSS report added.
Defence specialists criticise Yunus over ‘landlocked’ comment
Yunus’ remarks drew robust reactions from Indian defence specialists on Monday.
Responding to Yunus’ assertion, defence skilled Dhruv Katoch criticised the point out of India within the dialogue. “He had no enterprise citing India,” Katoch mentioned. “If we’ve got connectivity points and the way we hook up with the oceans, that may be a matter for our authorities, and we’re dealing with it. The Kaladan River venture will probably be accomplished quickly. So far as entry to the ocean is worried, we don’t want Bangladesh,” he mentioned.
Katoch additionally speculated on the motive behind Yunus’ remarks, suggesting he was making an attempt to ship a message to each India and China. “He’s attempting to inform China that Bangladesh’s distinctive location may present China with entry by means of India’s northeastern states to Nepal and Bhutan. However inserting India into the dialog on this approach is threatening. Is he not directly attempting to say that Bangladesh may lower off India’s Northeast?”
He additional famous that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready to fulfill Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of BIMSTEC. “Mr. Yunus has sought a gathering with PM Modi. However India is simply too large a rustic to be threatened by any nation—Bangladesh is completely irrelevant in that regard,” Katoch asserted.
In the meantime, in Jammu, retired defence skilled Captain Anil Gaur linked Yunus’ remarks to Bangladesh’s financial struggles. “Muhammad Yunus has gone to China to safe funding as a result of Bangladesh’s economic system has collapsed,” Gaur claimed. He identified that USAID, which beforehand funded Bangladesh, had ceased assist below orders from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“In the present day, Bangladesh is in a state of affairs just like what it was earlier than its liberation in 1971. Yunus has no selection however to hunt assist from China, reward them, and attempt to promote his nation and economic system,” Gaur mentioned. Nonetheless, he reassured that India has no motive to fret. “India is in a robust place and is already taking measures to curb infiltration makes an attempt from Bangladesh.”