Muhammad Yunus, announcing his departure as head of the Bangladesh government on Monday, invoked Nepal and Bhutan as well as India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” states while outlining a sub-regional economic vision in his farewell speech, a formula that could draw attention in New Delhi amid already strained India-Bangladesh relations.
After the new government was elected, Muhammad Yunus stepped down from the post of Chief Advisor of Bangladesh. (AFP)In a televised speech a day before his resignation, Yunus said that Bangladesh’s foreign policy during his 18-month tenure had restored three key pillars – sovereignty, national interest and dignity – and declared that the country was “no longer submissive” or guided by the dictates of other countries.
“Our open sea is not just a geographical boundary, it is an open door for Bangladesh to engage with the global economy. Along with Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters, the region has enormous economic potential,” Yunus said, referring to India’s northeastern states without naming India directly.
He proposed deeper sub-regional economic cooperation around connectivity, trade agreements, economic zones and maritime access through Bangladesh.
By grouping India’s northeastern states alongside sovereign nations, Yunus appeared to blur established political boundaries, a move that could be seen as an attempt to provoke New Delhi and influence the restoration of Indo-Bangladesh relations under the newly elected government.
The farewell speech came as Yunus faced criticism at home for the interim administration’s handling of issues of minority security, democratic transition and foreign relations.
Her government took over in August 2024 after the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina and is handing over power to a newly elected government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Tariq Rahman-led BNP won 209 out of 297 seats in the February 12 parliamentary elections and is set to form the next government on Tuesday.
Leaning heavily on nationalist messaging, Yunus said his administration had rebuilt the “fundamental basis” of Bangladesh’s external engagement and pursued a policy of strategic balance. He highlighted the expanding relationship with several global partners, including China, Japan, the US and Europe, and noted the progress of Chinese-backed projects such as the Teesta River Initiative and a major hospital project in Nilphamari.
He also talked about military modernization and said Bangladesh had begun strengthening its armed forces to counter “any aggression,” without naming specific threats.
On governance, Yunus said his administration has enacted about 130 new laws, amended several others and issued about 600 executive orders, of which about 84% have already been implemented. He has favored agreements with international port management bodies despite protests from labor groups, saying improved efficiency is essential for economic growth.
During his tenure, relations with India saw a marked downturn, with New Delhi expressing concern over repeated attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, and broader law and order issues. Several analysts have argued that political tensions have spilled over into economic relations, slowing progress on trade facilitation and connectivity.
In his closing remarks, Yunus urged citizens to continue working for a “just, humane and democratic Bangladesh”, saying he was leaving office with optimism. Earlier in the day, he met senior bureaucrats and received a farewell call from Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, whom he thanked for the cooperation of the armed forces during the elections.