Guwahati, Apr 1: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday strongly criticized the remarks made by Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, in which he claimed that Bangladesh is the “only guardian” of the Indian Ocean for the seven northeastern states of India, which are “landlocked.”
Yunus made the statement during his four-day visit to China, which Sarma described as “offensive and strongly condemnable.” The Assam CM highlighted concerns over the security risks related to India’s crucial ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor, a narrow stretch of land that connects Northeast India to the rest of the country.
Sarma expressed his disapproval on social media, noting that Yunus’s statement undermined the region’s strategic importance. He also referred to past internal suggestions within India to sever this critical passage, potentially isolating the Northeast from the mainland.
“The statement about the seven sister states being landlocked and Bangladesh positioning itself as their guardian of ocean access is offensive and strongly condemnable,” Sarma said. “It reflects a persistent vulnerability narrative associated with the Chicken’s Neck corridor.”
The Assam CM called for the strengthening of infrastructure in the region, including railway and road networks, and advocated for exploring alternative routes to bypass the corridor. He cautioned that Yunus’s remarks should not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations.
