Dhaka, Feb 17: Bangladesh is set to form a new government. Muhammad Yunus, who had been serving as the head of the interim government, stepped down from his position on Monday. On this occasion, he addressed the nation. In his speech, Yunus once again displayed an anti‑India stance, referring to India’s northeastern states known as the ‘Seven Sisters’.
He remarked, “The vast ocean is not just a geographical boundary for our country. It is Bangladesh’s pathway to connect with the global economy. Together with Nepal, Bhutan, and the Seven Sisters, this region holds immense economic potential.” By mentioning India’s northeastern states as part of a sub‑region with Bangladesh, without directly naming India, Yunus’s comments were seen as provocative.
This is not the first time Yunus has spoken in this manner. During a past visit to China, he referred to India’s northeastern states, saying that they had no other route to the sea and that Bangladesh was their gateway. He described it as a major opportunity for China to expand its economic base, which India strongly condemned at the time. The northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura—are collectively known as the Seven Sisters.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s BNP party, which won the recent parliamentary elections, will form the new government on Tuesday. BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down in 2024 following student protests. Yunus then led the interim government for 18 months, facing criticism along the way. While relinquishing his responsibilities on Monday, Yunus declared that Bangladesh is not a country that will surrender and that its government will not function based on advice or suggestions from other nations.
