DHAKA: In a notable farewell speech, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, invoked the concept of "Seven Sisters," referring to India's northeastern states, while addressing the immense economic potential of the region. Although Yunus did not explicitly mention India, he emphasized that the area, alongside Nepal and Bhutan, offers vast opportunities for economic engagement.

“Our open sea is not only a geographical boundary, it also remains an open door to engage with the world economy for Bangladesh,” Yunus stated, drawing attention to the region's strategic importance. His remarks come just as Bangladesh gears up for a new administration, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman set to assume power following a significant election victory. Rahman, who has been in exile for 17 years, is scheduled to take the oath of office shortly.

Yunus’s references rekindled discussions from a viral video last year, where he remarked on the "Seven Sisters" as a landlocked region lacking direct access to the ocean. His comments hinted at potential economic extensions toward China, which led to significant reactions from political leaders in India’s Northeast, reinforcing the sensitivity surrounding such geopolitical discussions.

After Yunus's earlier comments, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly responded, highlighting India's extensive coastline and the Northeast's development as a connectivity hub for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

In the backdrop of these developing dynamics, Indian Speaker Om Birla is set to represent India at Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony, as affirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Birla’s presence signals a continued interest in fostering India-Bangladesh relations, even amid rising tensions surrounding Yunus's statements.