Muhammad Yunus, head of the Bangladesh interim government, invited China to the Bay of Bengal, raising concerns for India. He proclaimed Bangladesh as the “Guardian of the Sea” and highlighted opportunities for Chinese economic expansion in the region. Following discussions with President Xi Jinping, nine agreements were signed to enhance cooperation in various sectors, indicating a strengthening bond between Bangladesh and China.

In a startling development regarding India-Bangladesh relations, Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, has issued an invitation for China to engage in the Bay of Bengal area. He has boldly described Bangladesh, under his governance, as the “Guardian of the Sea,” raising concerns for India’s national security. This announcement signifies a shift in Bangladesh’s geopolitical stance and strategic interests.

A widely circulated video captures Mr. Yunus during a state visit to China where he explicitly invites Chinese involvement in the Bay of Bengal. He underscores that the seven northeastern states of India, known as the Seven Sisters, lack access to the sea, positioning Bangladesh as a potentially advantageous partner for China in maritime activities.

During his remarks, Yunus identified Bangladesh as possessing the unique opportunity to facilitate trade and economic development in the region, arguing that the landlocked northeastern states require Bangladesh’s support for sea access. Additionally, Yunus alluded to India’s vulnerable “Chicken’s Neck” corridor, a narrow land strip critical for India’s national security linking the northeastern states to the rest of the country.

Following a meeting with President Xi Jinping, Bangladesh and China finalized nine agreements, enhancing cooperation in economic and technical fields. Yunus also encouraged Chinese investment in significant infrastructure projects, including the Teesta River management initiative, which previously had Indian interests at the forefront. The collaboration extends to the modernization of Mongla Port facilities and encompasses areas like culture, health, and news media exchange.

This emerging partnership appears to bolster China’s influence in South Asia, raising alarms in India regarding its strategic footing in the region amid growing Chinese engagement in neighboring countries.

The recent developments in Bangladesh’s relations with China, as articulated by Muhammad Yunus, highlight a critical juncture for India-Bangladesh ties. Yunus’s invitation to China to participate in the Bay of Bengal raises strategic alarms for India, especially concerning the northeastern states. Furthermore, the agreements forged between Bangladesh and China signal an expanding collaboration that could reshape regional dynamics and pose challenges for India’s national security.

Original Source: www.india.com

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