Dhaka: Muhammad Yunus, the outgoing chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh raked up the issue of the land locked “seven sisters” yet again in his exit speech on Monday, without naming India.
In his speech, Yunus leaned heavily on nationalist rhetoric, repeatedly asserting that Bangladesh had reclaimed its “sovereignty, dignity, and independence” in foreign policy and was “no longer guided by others’ directives.”
He spoke of future economic integration involving Nepal, Bhutan, and the “seven sisters”– a term often used to refer to India’s northeastern states, as reported by NDTV.
“Our open seas are not just borders — they are gateways to the global economy. With Nepal, Bhutan, and the seven sisters, this region has immense economic potential. Economic zones, trade agreements, and duty-free market access can establish us as a global manufacturing hub,” he said.
This is not for the first time that Yunus has raised the issue of the “seven sisters”. He had done so earlier during a visit to Beijing, when he urged China to exploit the possibilities offered by Bangladesh’s Chattogram port.
Thereafter, he had presented a book to a visiting Pakistani general, with a map on its cover, showing India’s northeastern states as a part of Bangladesh. All of this can be perceived as an attempt to provoke New Delhi and affect the reset of India-Bangladesh ties under the newly elected government.
For years, India has invested heavily in connectivity projects through Bangladesh for quicker access to the northeastern states. Yunus’s speech tried to invert that narrative, implying that access and opportunity for the region would increasingly depend on Bangladesh’s strategic choices rather than Indian planning alone.
Yunus’ tone grew sharper as he emphasised “strategic balance” and highlighted deepening ties with China, Japan, the United States, and Europe. He cited progress on Chinese-supported projects, including the Teesta River initiative – located close to India’s strategically important Siliguri corridor.
“We have also deepened cooperation with China. Significant progress has been made on the Teesta River project and a 1,000-bed international hospital in Nilphamari,” Yunus said.
Yunus also stated that Bangladesh had begun strengthening its armed forces to “counter any aggression”, a phrase that, while vague, carried an unmistakably hard edge when placed alongside his broader sovereignty narrative.
“In foreign policy, we have firmly restored Bangladesh’s sovereignty, national interest, and dignity. Bangladesh is no longer submissive or guided by others’ directives. Today’s Bangladesh is confident, proactive, and responsible. We are committed to building relations based on mutual respect and interest while maintaining strategic balance,” Yunus said.
There was no mention in his speech about the challenges that the new government in Bangladesh will face under a new leader. These include the protection of rights of minorities in the country.
