Emran Emon 

Recently, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh Dr. Yunus’s remarks regarding the Seven Sisters (also known as "Chicken's Neck") has sparked an uproar across India's political, diplomatic and media circles. The specific remark that

To understand the significance of Dr. Yunus's remark, it is important to look at the broader context of maritime governance and the geographically positioning of Bangladesh in South Asia. Bangladesh, as a coastal country, holds a direct stake in the stability and preservation of the Bay of Bengal and the surrounding maritime areas. The Bay, which forms a crucial part of both the Indian and global oceanic ecosystems, is home to vital resources, shipping lanes, and environmental zones that transcend national borders. In such a context, Bangladesh’s perspective on safeguarding these shared waters becomes significant. 

Dr. Yunus, in his usual pragmatic yet visionary tone, is likely emphasizing Bangladesh’s responsibility in protecting its maritime interests, including managing its exclusive economic zones (EEZs), preserving marine biodiversity, and contributing to regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. It is important to note that Dr. Yunus, while highlighting Bangladesh’s role, is not downplaying the importance of other regional stakeholders like India. Instead, he seems to be emphasizing that Bangladesh, given its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, has a vested interest in taking an active role in environmental conservation and maritime diplomacy. The statement might have been directed at both national and international audiences, urging a more concerted, cooperative approach toward preserving maritime ecosystems.

India’s response to Dr. Yunus’s remarks is a complex blend of diplomatic caution and national pride. India's Seven Sisters, the northeastern states, have long struggled with issues of connectivity, development, and integration with the rest of the country. These states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura—are geographically isolated from the rest of India and have a strategic importance in both regional politics and economic affairs. These states are strategically significant due to their location, bordering multiple countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. Rich in natural resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, these states also face challenges, including economic underdevelopment, ethnic conflict, and political instability. Consequently, any foreign commentary on the region’s position or its maritime interests naturally elicits a response from New Delhi, as the unity and sovereignty of India’s territories are a sensitive matter.

India’s government is quick to downplay any implication of Bangladesh claiming sole guardianship of the Bay of Bengal. While the remark is seen as highlighting Bangladesh’s maritime interests, Indian politicians and media outlets are keen to assert India’s longstanding role in regional maritime affairs. The Bay of Bengal is not only a critical shipping route but also a rich repository of resources that serve the economic needs of both countries.

However, the Indian reaction is also one of diplomacy. India has long recognized the importance of cooperative maritime governance. It has actively worked with its neighbors, including Bangladesh, on a range of issues such as maritime security, environmental protection, and navigational freedom. The 2014 agreement between Bangladesh and India regarding maritime boundary delineation, which resolved a longstanding dispute over their maritime borders, stands as an example of constructive diplomacy and mutual respect.

The discourse surrounding Dr. Yunus's remarks brings into sharp focus the importance of regional cooperation in maritime governance. In today’s interconnected world, the oceans are no longer mere geopolitical boundaries—they are shared spaces where national interests intersect with global concerns. Both India and Bangladesh have a vested interest in ensuring the sustainable management of the Bay of Bengal, a water body that connects the two nations and is crucial to the larger Indo-Pacific region.

The strategic location of the Bay of Bengal, as well as the abundance of maritime resources it offers, makes it a region of immense geopolitical significance. The Bay is not just a resource for fishing industries, shipping lanes, and environmental concerns—it is also a space where the larger powers, such as China and the United States, have become increasingly involved, seeking to expand their influence in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, both India and Bangladesh must tread carefully to ensure that their bilateral relations, particularly around maritime boundaries and cooperation, remain constructive and mutually beneficial.

Moreover, environmental sustainability in the Bay of Bengal is a shared concern. The threats posed by climate change, including rising sea levels, the destruction of coastal ecosystems, and the depletion of marine life, necessitate a unified response. Both India and Bangladesh have faced the impacts of these threats, particularly in their coastal regions, and their collaboration could set a precedent for broader regional efforts to combat environmental degradation and ensure the continued health of the Bay of Bengal’s marine ecosystems.

Instead of viewing Dr. Yunus's remarks as a challenge to India’s sovereignty or maritime authority, it would be more constructive to embrace the underlying message of regional collaboration. The Bay of Bengal, as a vital body of water that affects the livelihoods, economies, and environments of both Bangladesh and India, requires shared stewardship. The long-term interests of both nations lie in preserving the health of the ocean, securing safe and sustainable shipping routes, and managing the region’s natural resources in a way that benefits all stakeholders.

The India-Bangladesh relationship has made remarkable strides in recent years, particularly after the resolution of the maritime boundary issue in 2014. However, the maritime domain remains a crucial area for future cooperation. By strengthening ties in ocean governance, both nations can foster greater stability, security, and prosperity in the region. Dr. Yunus's statement, while provocative, should be seen as an opportunity for both nations to reaffirm their shared commitment to the responsible management of the Bay of Bengal.

In an international public discussion, Dr. Yunus has pointed out that since the Seven Sisters are landlocked, the Bay of Bengal is their only gateway for economic progress. This statement, however, has been interpreted by Indian political and media outlets as a threat of Bangladesh on Indian sovereignty by taking control of the Seven Sisters!

In reality, there is no such threat on sovereignty in his statement, nor is Bangladesh in a position to do so. Rather, the statement highlights how utilizing Bangladesh’s maritime route can economically benefit the Seven Sisters, which ultimately favors India. However, India’s discomfort stems from the fact that, unlike during the ousted fascist Awami regime, it can no longer exploit Bangladesh and its maritime access at will. Now, the relationship will be based on mutual interests and equality. Once again, it is proven that “person matters”

For a long time, India has been deeply engaged in "mischief" over Bangladesh's sovereignty and its vast maritime potential. In many ways, it has already made significant advancements. India has established a form of “neo-imperialism” in Bangladesh. Since the fall of the fascist Awami regime on August 5, India has been involved in conspiracies to destabilize Bangladesh. But Bangladesh has been able to counter all conspiracies diplomatically. On the other hand, India, trapped by geographical location and geopolitical constraints, does not benefit from destabilising bilateral and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh for a long time; on the contrary, it will only cause them more harm. In fact, India has already started calculating their the losses in many sectors.

For so long, a party has been weakening Bangladesh's foreign policy just to stay in power. Dr. Yunus is expected to strengthen that fragile foreign policy of Bangladesh in every way. His diplomatic stance sends a clear message to neighboring countries: Bangladesh is no longer a "puppet state", and no one should attempt any "sinister motif" against its independence and sovereignty. 

Ending much speculation, the meeting between the Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally taken place at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. The bilateral and diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strained for 8 long months since the formation of the interim government. Through this desired meeting, it is hoped that bilateral and diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries will once again become close and the two countries will work together for mutual developments.

Emran Emon is a researcher, journalist and columnist. He can be reached at emoncolumnist@gmail.com