Chicken’s Neck Bypass Be Prioritised! Assam CM Himanta Sarma Slams Bangladesh PM Yunus Over Northeast Remark

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed strong disapproval of comments made by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, which described the northeastern states of India as being landlocked.

Sarma highlighted his concerns through a post on X, condemning Yunus's statements as "offensive" and indicative of a harmful narrative towards India's "Chicken's Neck" corridor, a strategic area crucial for connecting the northeastern states to the rest of India.

Sarma's response underscored the importance of this region and the need for its protection and development. Yunus's comments came during a four-day visit to China, where he made several agreements with Beijing and met with President Xi Jinping. He suggested that the landlocked nature of India's northeastern states presented an opportunity for economic expansion by China into Bangladesh, positioning Bangladesh as the region's sole ocean gateway. This viewpoint stirred controversy and prompted a need for a strategic reassessment of India's infrastructure connecting the Northeast with the mainland.

In light of the provocative statements made by Yunus, Sarma emphasized the critical nature of developing more robust transportation networks in and around the "Chicken's Neck" corridor. He proposed enhancing and expanding both railway and road connections to bolster the linkage between India's mainland and its northeastern states. Additionally, he pointed out the necessity of seeking alternative routes that could circumvent the corridor, acknowledging the engineering challenges but deeming it achievable with focused effort and innovation.

This call for infrastructure development was not only a rebuttal to Yunus's comments but also a strategic move to ensure the northeastern states remain integral to India's geopolitical and economic framework. The controversy stirred by Yunus's remarks has brought to the forefront the strategic vulnerabilities of the "Chicken's Neck" corridor and the urgent need for infrastructural fortification. Sarma's statements reflect a broader concern for national unity and the importance of securing India's northeastern borders.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic advisory council, also entered the fray by questioning the rationale behind Yunus's mention of India's northeastern region. This added another layer to the controversy, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue within India's strategic and economic circles.