Dhaka: A former officer of the Bangladeshi army, who was an aide to chief advisor Mohammed Yunus, recently suggested that if India were to strike Pakistan in the wake of a terrorist incident in Pahargam, Bangladesh should explore a partnership with China to seize control of northeastern India.
Following these remarks made by Major Almfazllan (RETD) on social media, Yunus’ interim government attempted to clarify its stance. In a post on Facebook, Rahman stated in Bengali that “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states in northeastern India.” He further noted the importance of starting discussions with China regarding a potential military arrangement.
Rahman, who was appointed by the Yunus-led interim administration in December 2024 to head the National Independence Committee investigating the 2009 murder of a Bangladeshi Rifles officer, drew the ire of the government. In response, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry released a statement asserting that his comments do not align with the government’s position, emphasizing a commitment to sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.
Earlier in March, during a visit to China, advisor Yunus mentioned that the seven northeastern Indian states, which share a nearly 1,600 km border with Bangladesh, were somewhat landlocked, relying on Bangladesh for access to the sea. He described Dhaka as the “only guardian” of the Indian Ocean in that region during a business event in China.
These comments did not sit well with New Delhi, garnering criticism from political leaders across various parties in India. Shortly after Yunus’ controversial statements, India retracted a transshipment facility that had previously allowed Bangladesh to export goods to several countries besides Nepal and Bhutan.
Bangladesh utilizes Indian ports and airports for exports to regions like West Asia and Europe, relying on certain exemptions under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules for landlocked countries. The relationship between India and Bangladesh has become increasingly scrutinized, particularly following Yunus’ rise amid the collapse of the Awami League government and rising ethnic violence, particularly against Hindus, within Bangladesh.
