In a viral video, Yunus suggests that China establish a base in Bangladesh, indirectly challenging India’s strategic position.

“The seven states of India, in the eastern part of India – called the seven sister states are completely landlocked. They have no way to reach the ocean. We (Bangladesh) are the only guardians of the ocean for the entire region (northeast India),” Yunus said.

He further remarked, “This opens up a huge possibility for China – this could become an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, market them, take them back to China, or export to the rest of the world.”

Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, took to the social media platform X to express concern over Yunus’s comments.

During his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Yunus secured Chinese assistance in modernizing Bangladesh’s Mongla Port, a project worth US$400 million.

Additionally, China pledged US$350 million to expand the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram, with another US$150 million allocated for technical assistance.

Yunus also sought China’s long-term support in river water management, urging Beijing to provide a 50-year assistance package. “China is the master of water management,” Yunus stated, expressing Dhaka’s interest in learning from Chinese expertise.