Outgoing leader pushes China ties while ignoring Indian sovereignty

Muhammad Yunus has ended his 18-month tenure as the interim head of Bangladesh with a final diplomatic jab at New Delhi. In his farewell address before handing over power to the newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Yunus referred to India’s Northeast region strictly as the "Seven Sisters," completely omitting any mention of India itself. This rhetorical choice is being viewed by diplomatic experts as a deliberate attempt to portray the region as a separate entity rather than an integral part of India.

During the 25-minute televised speech, the Nobel laureate outlined a vision where Bangladesh serves as an economic gateway for the landlocked Northeast. He stated that Bangladesh’s "open seas" offer massive potential for these states, as well as for Nepal and Bhutan. However, by refusing to name India in this context, Yunus echoed a similar controversial stance he took during a visit to China last year. At that time, he had urged Beijing to expand its influence in the region, a move that drew sharp criticism from India's External Affairs Ministry.

The outgoing leader also highlighted his administration's shift away from what he termed a "submissive" foreign policy. This comment is widely interpreted as a critique of the previous Sheikh Hasina government’s close ties with New Delhi. Instead, Yunus emphasized deepening cooperation with China, specifically pointing to progress on the Teesta River restoration project. This Chinese-backed initiative sits uncomfortably close to India’s strategic Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck.

Reactions from India have been sharp. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani criticized Yunus for trying to "manufacture" an external enemy to distract from domestic instability. Former diplomat Kanwal Sibal described the omission of India’s name as revealing a "dangerous mindset."

As the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) prepares to form the new government, speculation has also arisen regarding the safety of Yunus’s aides. While reports confirmed that special assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb left for Germany, sources in Dhaka suggest that most officials from the interim regime are staying put, having been integrated into the transition process. All eyes are now on Tarique Rahman to see if he will reset the strained diplomatic ties with India.

​​​​​​​With Inputs and Image from: Public Domain