Anti-India Rhetoric in Bangladesh Threatens Northeast Stability: Himanta

Reacting to recent statements across the border suggesting that India’s Northeast will be separated and merged with Bangladesh, Sarma described the idea as irresponsible and disconnected from reality. “India is a growing economy, a nuclear power and the fourth largest economy in the world. How can Bangladesh imagine such a thing?” he said.

The Prime Minister warned that India should not ignore such narratives and called for a stern response. “This type of thinking should not be encouraged. Bangladesh must understand that India will not remain silent in the face of such behavior,” he added.

Sarma reiterated that the Northeast is an integral part of India and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated rhetoric with no factual basis. Referring to frequent anti-India remarks in Bangladesh, he warned that New Delhi should not take Dhaka’s posture lightly under its interim leadership, alleging “sinister designs” against India’s border states.

He also cited a recent incident in which Bangladesh’s interim head of government, Mohammed Younis, presented a distorted map showing India’s Northeast as part of Bangladesh during interactions with foreign dignitaries, which was alleged to be indicative of disruptive intentions.

These remarks followed a December 15 statement by Hasnat Abdullah, a senior leader of Bangladesh’s newly formed National Citizen Party, who claimed that Dhaka could “isolate” India’s northeastern states if India attempted to destabilize Bangladesh.