Former Manipur CM: Yunus Should Show Restraint in Comments About India
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Synopsis
On April 1, Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to exercise caution in making comments about India, asserting that such remarks could be counterproductive and highlighting the importance of India's territorial integrity.
Key Takeaways
- N. Biren Singh criticizes Muhammad Yunus for his comments on India.
- Yunus's statements are seen as a geopolitical maneuver.
- India's northeastern states are referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters’.
- Concerns about the ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor's vulnerability were raised.
- Calls for stronger infrastructure to secure the Northeast were made.
Imphal, April 1 (NationPress) Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated on Tuesday that the Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh government, Muhammad Yunus, should practice restraint, as making comments regarding a nation like India could be detrimental.
“It is evident that Muhammad Yunus and his interim government in Bangladesh are trying to depict the northeast as a strategic tool for their geopolitical aspirations,” Singh expressed on ‘X’.
He further remarked that such provocative and irresponsible statements are not fitting for a leader.
“I strongly condemn his remarks. It must be clear that India’s unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and cannot be challenged by anyone. Yunus needs to show restraint. Reckless comments about a nation like India are not only unwise but could lead to regrettable consequences,” he asserted.
Referring to his country as the ‘only guardian of the ocean’ in the region, Yunus called for China to increase its economic influence in Bangladesh.
“India’s northeastern states, being landlocked, could present an opportunity,” Yunus mentioned.
During his four-day trip to China, Yunus promoted closer economic relations with the country.
The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh highlighted that India’s northeastern states, known as the ‘Seven Sisters’, do not have direct sea access.
He proposed that this situation offers a significant opportunity, as the region could act as an extension of the Chinese economy.
He suggested that China’s involvement could reach India’s seven northeastern states, underscoring their landlocked status and potential benefits from access via Bangladesh.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister of Assam declared that Yunus’s statements from the interim government are “offensive” and “condemnable”.
The Chief Minister also noted that Yunus’s comments highlight the vulnerability of the ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor in the northeast.
“The remarks made by Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh’s so-called interim government, which refer to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and position Bangladesh as their guardian for ocean access, are offensive and must be condemned,” the Chief Minister posted on X.
He added that Yunus’s statement emphasizes the ongoing vulnerability narrative related to India’s strategic ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor.
“Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested serving this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically. Thus, it is crucial to develop more robust railway and road networks both beneath and around the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also advocated for exploring alternative road routes that would connect the Northeast to mainland India, effectively bypassing the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, as a top priority.
“Though this may present significant engineering challenges, it is feasible with determination and innovation. Such provocative statements from Muhammad Yunus should not be taken lightly, as they reveal deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas,” the Chief Minister concluded.
