Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 1 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday strongly criticised and condemned the remarks made by the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, claiming that Bangladesh is the "only guardian" of the Indian Ocean for the region, as the seven northeastern Indian states are "landlocked".
Yunus made these remarks during his four-day visit to China.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Assam CM said that the statement was "offensive and strongly condemnable", noting that the region had been under ongoing security risk discourse linked to India's critical 'Chicken's Neck' corridor."
Sarma further highlighted historical suggestions by some internal elements in India to sever this critical passageway and isolate the Northeast.
"The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh so-called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access is offensive and strongly condemnable. This remark underscores the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India's strategic "Chicken's Neck" corridor. Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested severing this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically," Sarma said.
He further stressed the urgent need for robust railway and road networks, both beneath and around the Chicken's Neck, and advocated for alternative routes connecting the Northeast to mainland India to bypass the corridor entirely.
Sarma also cautioned that Yunus's provocative statements reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas, urging that they not be taken lightly.
"Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken's Neck corridor. Additionally, exploring alternative road routes connecting the Northeast to mainland India, effectively bypassing the Chicken's Neck, should be prioritised. Though this may pose significant engineering challenges, it is achievable with determination and innovation. Such provocative statements by Md Younis must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas," the Assam Chief Minister added.