Bangladesh Appeals to China for Strategic “Extension”, Sparks Concern Over Northeast India Access

Muhammad Yunus’ comments about India’s landlocked northeast and call for Chinese presence near the Bay of Bengal raise geopolitical eyebrows in Delhi.

April 1, 2025: New Delhi – In a move stirring fresh geopolitical concerns, Bangladesh’s interim government adviser Muhammad Yunus has made a public appeal to China for strategic “extension” into South Asia, referencing India’s landlocked northeastern states and suggesting Beijing could leverage Bangladesh’s geography for economic and infrastructural gains.

Also Read: YouTube’s Meteoric Rise: Poised to Overtake Disney in 2025 as Media’s Undisputed Giant

During his four-day visit to Beijing, Yunus urged the Chinese government to “extend” into the region by strengthening its presence in Bangladesh, which he described as the “only guardian of the ocean” for India’s Seven Sister States — Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Also Read: Wall Street Falls as Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Sparks Tariff Fears; Nasdaq Drops Over 1.7%

“The seven states of India… are completely landlocked. They have no way to reach the ocean. We are the only guardian of the ocean for the entire region,” Yunus said in a video that has since gone viral.

He suggested this creates an opportunity for China to set up economic and logistical infrastructure in Bangladesh, positioning it as a strategic gateway for Chinese exports and influence in eastern India.

---

Delhi Responds with Discomfort

The comments were swiftly flagged by Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, who questioned the intent behind Yunus’ statement.

“Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are land-locked… What exactly is the significance?” Sanyal posted on X (formerly Twitter).

---

China’s Expanding Footprint in Bangladesh

Yunus’ visit resulted in several strategic agreements between Dhaka and Beijing:

Also Read: Navratri Day 3: Embracing the Divine Strength of Maa Chandraghanta

• $400 million investment to modernize Mongla Port
• $350 million to expand the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram
• An additional $150 million in technical support
• A new Hydrological Information Exchange Agreement for the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River (originating in Tibet)

Beijing has also agreed to assist Bangladesh in river water management, especially the Teesta River, a long-disputed issue between India and Bangladesh. The interim Bangladeshi administration under Yunus has now sought Chinese involvement, diverging from previous bilateral efforts with India.

“China is the master of water management. We have come to learn from you,” Yunus reportedly told Chinese President Xi Jinping.

---

Geopolitical Implications

Analysts warn that such developments — particularly the rhetoric about India’s northeastern states being “landlocked” and reliant on Bangladesh — may be viewed as a veiled threat or strategic pressure tactic against New Delhi.

While China’s economic involvement in South Asia is not new, Bangladesh’s open invitation for long-term Chinese involvement in maritime and river affairs is seen as a potential leverage point in the region’s already sensitive security matrix.

Tags:

Bangladesh China ties, Muhammad Yunus China visit, Seven Sister States, Northeast India access, Mongla Port China, China Bangladesh maritime deal, Teesta river China, India Bangladesh China tensions, China in South Asia, Chattogram economic zone, Yarlung Zangbo hydrology deal