Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit hard against remarks made by Bangladesh's interim government chief advisor Muhammad Yunus calling India's northeastern states "landlocked" and listing Bangladesh as their "guardian" of ocean access. Sarma called Yunus's remarks "offensive and strongly condemnable," pointing out how such statements take away from the strategic advantage of India's Chicken's Neck corridor that acts to bridge India's northeastern states with the rest of India.
During his recent trip to China, Yunus suggested that the landlocked location of the northeastern states presents an opportunity for Bangladesh to be a lead gateway to the sea, and China can make economic investments in the region.
Sarma reminded that these statements represent a narrative that undermines India's territorial integrity and security.
He pushed for greater infrastructure development in the Chicken's Neck corridor and proposed exploring alternative routes to enhance connectivity between Northeast India and the mainland.
The Chief Minister's response is a reflection of ongoing fears regarding regional security and geopolitical concerns with neighboring countries.
