NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, who was on a four-day visit to China, invited Beijing to make an "extension" in the region while mentioning that the seven northeastern states of India remain landlocked.
In a widely circulated video on social media, Yunus encouraged the Chinese government to establish an economic base in Bangladesh, emphasising that Dhaka is the "sole guardian of the ocean" in the region.
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"We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world," Yunus said.
Sanjeev Sanyal, currently a member of PM Narendra Modi’s economic advisory council, shared the video on X and wrote: "Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are land-locked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?"
Yunus, who met Xi Jinping during his four-day visit, also sought a 50-year master plan from Beijing for its river water management, including that of the Teesta river, co-shared by the Indian upstream region, calling China the “master of water management”.
“We have come here to learn from you; how we can make water resources useful to people,” state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) quoted him as saying.
He particularly pointed out the issues related to the 'Teesta River System' but added, however, that “Bangladesh's problem lies not just with one river, but with the (entire) system”.
The ousted Hasina government had sought India's involvement in the Teesta River basin project.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and China held positive discussions on signing the Implementation Plan of the MoU on the Exchange of Hydrological Information for the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River, which originates in China and flows into Bangladesh after passing through a significant stretch of Indian territory.
The two nations also agreed to enhance maritime cooperation and plan to hold a new round of Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation at a suitable time.
"Bangladesh welcomes Chinese companies to participate in the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project and is ready to collaborate with China to further develop the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram," the statement said.
According to BSS, China has planned to provide approximately $400 million for the modernization of Bangladesh’s southwestern Mongla seaport, $350 million for the development of the China Industrial Economic Zone, and another $150 million as technical assistance.
"The remaining funds will be provided as grants and other forms of financial support," the BSS report added.
Defence experts criticise Yunus over ‘landlocked’ remark
Yunus' remarks drew strong reactions from Indian defence experts on Monday.
Responding to Yunus' statement, defence expert Dhruv Katoch criticised the mention of India in the discussion. "He had no business bringing up India," Katoch said. "If we have connectivity issues and how we connect to the oceans, that is a matter for our government, and we are handling it. The Kaladan River project will be completed soon. As far as access to the sea is concerned, we don’t need Bangladesh," he said.
Katoch also speculated on the motive behind Yunus' remarks, suggesting he was attempting to send a message to both India and China. "He is trying to tell China that Bangladesh’s unique location could provide China with access through India’s northeastern states to Nepal and Bhutan. But inserting India into the conversation in this way is threatening. Is he indirectly trying to say that Bangladesh could cut off India’s Northeast?"
He further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of BIMSTEC. "Mr. Yunus has sought a meeting with PM Modi. But India is too big a country to be threatened by any country—Bangladesh is totally irrelevant in that regard," Katoch asserted.
Meanwhile, in Jammu, retired defence expert Captain Anil Gaur linked Yunus' remarks to Bangladesh’s economic struggles. "Muhammad Yunus has gone to China to secure funding because Bangladesh's economy has collapsed," Gaur claimed. He pointed out that USAID, which previously funded Bangladesh, had ceased support under orders from US President Donald Trump.
"Today, Bangladesh is in a situation similar to what it was before its liberation in 1971. Yunus has no choice but to seek help from China, praise them, and try to sell his country and economy," Gaur said. However, he reassured that India has no reason to worry. "India is in a strong position and is already taking measures to curb infiltration attempts from Bangladesh."
