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Fraying Ties: Bangladesh’s Provocative Rhetoric and India’s Firm Response

Unicaus NEWS

May 19, 2025

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Table of Contents:

• Key Takeaways
• Bangladesh Chief Advisor’s Contentious Remarks
• Major General’s Inflammatory Social Media Post
• India’s Retaliatory Measures
• India’s Military Preparedness within the Siliguri Corridor
• Experts’ Concerns and Strategic Implications
• Conclusion

Key Takeaways

• Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus, proposed an built-in financial plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states, seemingly differentiating the area from the remainder of India.¹
• Dr. Yunus additionally advised that China might use Bangladesh as a gateway to the ocean for India’s landlocked northeastern states, probably extending China’s financial affect.²
• Major General (Retd.) ALM Fazlur Rahman of Bangladesh controversially advised on social media that Bangladesh ought to occupy India’s northeastern states if India assaults Pakistan and advocated for a joint navy association with China.³
• In response to those remarks and rising tensions, India has reportedly stopped all imports from Bangladesh and carried out additional diplomatic measures in April and May 2025.
• The Indian Army carried out a present of power train, “Teesta Prahar,” within the strategic Siliguri Corridor on May fifteenth, signaling its preparedness within the area.⁴

Bangladesh Chief Advisor’s Contentious Remarks

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have been escalating attributable to a collection of controversial remarks made by Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus.⁵ His statements, perceived by many in India as undermining the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, have triggered important concern.⁶

In a current assembly with Indira Rana, Deputy Speaker of Nepal’s House of Representatives, who was in Dhaka for an occasion, Dr. Yunus proposed an financial integration plan that notably referred to India’s northeastern states as distinct entities.⁷ “There should be an integrated economic plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters,” he said, as reported by Mint.⁸ This deliberate separation of the northeastern states from the remainder of India has been interpreted as a divisive tactic.

Furthermore, Dr. Yunus has been actively partaking with China, suggesting that Bangladesh might function an important hyperlink for the landlocked northeastern states of India to the ocean.⁹ While addressing Chinese enterprise leaders in Beijing, he remarked, “The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the Seven Sisters.¹⁰ They are a landlocked region of India.¹¹ They have no way to reach out to the ocean.¹² Bangladesh is the guardian of the ocean for the region.¹³ This opens up a huge possibility. This could be an extension for the Chinese economy.” These feedback, highlighted by Mint and different Indian media retailers, have raised alarms about potential strategic implications and China’s rising affect within the area.¹⁴

Major General’s Inflammatory Social Media Post

Adding gas to the hearth, a former Bangladesh military officer and shut aide of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, Major General (Retd.)¹⁵ ALM Fazlur Rahman, made a extremely provocative assertion on social media.¹⁶ In a Facebook publish dated April 29, 2025, as reported by Livemint and Business Standard, Major General (Retd.) Rahman wrote in Bengali, “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven States of Northeastern India.¹⁷ I think it is necessary to start discussions with China on a joint military arrangement in this regard.” This suggestion of navy aggression towards India and a possible alliance with China has been met with sturdy condemnation in India.

India’s Retaliatory Measures

In response to those escalating tensions¹⁸ and perceived hostile rhetoric, India has reportedly taken decisive steps. According to a current report by BusinessImmediately, “India has restricted imports worth¹⁹ USD 770 million from Bangladesh through land ports, affecting nearly 42 per cent of bilateral trade…²⁰ The move is a response to Bangladesh’s growing trade barriers against Indian exports and closer ties with China under interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus.”²¹ This motion, which impacts key merchandise like clothes, suggests a major shift in India’s financial engagement with Bangladesh.²² The²³ Economic Times additionally corroborated this, stating that “India’s reciprocatory move on banning several imports from Bangladesh will hit the neighbouring country with a $770 million bill amounting to nearly 42% of bilateral imports, as per an analysis by GTRI.”²⁴ Further diplomatic measures taken by India in April and May, although not explicitly detailed within the supplied context, point out a complete response to the state of affairs.

India’s Military Preparedness within the Siliguri Corridor

Amidst these diplomatic and financial measures, India has additionally emphasised its navy readiness. On May fifteenth, 2025, the Indian Army carried out a major train named “Teesta Prahar” close to the Siliguri Corridor, a strategically very important passage connecting India’s northeastern states²⁵ to the remainder of the nation.²⁶ As reported by StudyIQ, “The Indian Army recently conducted a major exercise named Teesta Prahar near the Siliguri Corridor, often called the Chicken Neck of India, highlighting its commitment to safeguarding this vital passage.”²⁷ This train concerned numerous fight parts, together with infantry, artillery, and particular forces, demonstrating India’s resolve to guard this delicate area, particularly given Dr. Yunus’s makes an attempt to spotlight its vulnerability and potential reference to China. India Sentinels additional famous that this large-scale built-in subject coaching train showcased the power’s operational readiness within the north Bengal-Sikkim sector.

Experts’ Concerns and Strategic Implications

Experts have expressed issues over the deteriorating relationship between India and Bangladesh.²⁸ The deliberate makes an attempt to differentiate India’s northeastern states and the decision for Chinese involvement within the area are seen as strikes that might destabilize the world and undermine India’s strategic pursuits. The Siliguri Corridor, specifically, is of paramount significance to India’s safety and connectivity, making any perceived risk to its integrity a critical matter.²⁹ India’s sturdy response, each economically and militarily, displays its dedication to safeguarding its territorial integrity and nationwide pursuits.

The current pronouncements and actions from key figures in Bangladesh have considerably strained the connection with India.³⁰ Dr. Yunus’s remarks and Major General (Retd.) Rahman’s inflammatory ideas have been met with agency responses from India, together with financial measures and a show of navy power within the essential Siliguri Corridor. The state of affairs highlights the rising complexities within the bilateral relationship and underscores India’s unwavering dedication to defending its sovereignty and responding assertively to any perceived threats or makes an attempt to undermine its territorial integrity.