A controversial remark by a Bangladeshi political leader suggesting the possibility of “cutting off” India’s northeastern states from the rest of the country has triggered strong reactions in India, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemning the statement as irresponsible and provocative.
The comment was made by Hasnat Abdullah, a senior leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP), during a public address in Dhaka. Abdullah alleged that Bangladesh could support anti-India forces and warned that such actions could be used to sever the Seven Sisters — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura — from mainland India.
Reacting to the remarks, Chief Minister Sarma said that statements questioning India’s territorial integrity were “dangerous” and should not be taken lightly. He asserted that India is a sovereign nation and a major global power, and any attempt to threaten its unity would be met with a firm response.
The Assam CM also noted that such rhetoric from certain political figures in Bangladesh has surfaced repeatedly in recent times and cautioned against making statements that could undermine peace and stability in the region. He emphasised that the northeastern states are an integral part of India and that their security is non-negotiable.
The comments have drawn attention due to the strategic sensitivity of India’s Northeast, which shares long international borders with Bangladesh. While the Bangladeshi government has not officially endorsed Abdullah’s statement, the remark has added to concerns over inflammatory rhetoric affecting bilateral relations.
India and Bangladesh have traditionally shared close diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, with cooperation in areas such as trade, security and connectivity. Indian officials have consistently maintained that while differences can be addressed through dialogue, threats or statements that challenge national sovereignty are unacceptable.
The incident has sparked debate on social media and political platforms, with calls for restraint and responsible discourse from leaders on both sides to prevent escalation of tensions in the region.
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