New Delhi: With Tarique Rahman kicking off his first term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, all eyes are on how he would handle his neighbours. The first signs have been positive, especially when it comes to India. However, security agencies caution against resurgence in militancy amid ‘Seven Sisters’ remarks by former chief adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus in his farewell speech recently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited for Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister, but he was unable to make it, owing to the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 and a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India on behalf of PM Modi.
Yunus’s Remarks and Diplomatic Concerns
Prime Minister Rahman does realise the importance of sharing good ties with India, but Yunus in his farewell speech had some provocative comments to make. He once again spoke about the future economic integration that would involve Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters — a term that is used to refer to the northeastern states of India.
Bangladesh watchers say that Yunus was clearly not happy with the reset of ties between India and his country. He chose to isolate India when it came to Bangladesh. Instead, he cozied up to Pakistan and Nepal, while allowing the radicals in his country to dish out an anti-India rhetoric.
Security Agencies Flag Militancy Risks
Intelligence Bureau officials say that the mention of the northeastern states is a matter of concern. In the past, India has faced problems when militant groups from the northeastern states operated from Bangladesh. During that period (2001–2006), it was the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami that were in power.
At a time when India and Bangladesh are looking to reset ties, the comments by Yunus especially regarding the Seven Sisters were irresponsible. India has invested heavily in the northeastern states, some of which are very sensitive in nature. India has battled insurgency in the northeast for long and managed to bring the situation under control. Such statements by Yunus involving states that are sensitive in nature appear to be deliberate and at the behest of foreign elements, officials point out.
Border Vulnerabilities and “Chicken’s Neck” Worries
The statement also comes at a time when there is apprehension within the Indian agencies about the attempt to revive militant infrastructure in the border regions. All this infrastructure had been dismantled by India with the help of Bangladesh. India will have to engage constantly with Dhaka on this issue to prevent the revival of such infrastructure.
An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Siliguri Corridor — often referred to as the Chicken’s Neck — is extremely vulnerable as it links the northeastern states to the rest of India. Taking into account the sensitivity of the area, the comments by Yunus are seen as a deliberate attempt to provoke insurgent groups, some of which have the backing of China, the official added.
Role of Jamaat and Ongoing Vigil
Adding to the worries of the Indian security agencies is the fact that Jamaat has won a majority of the seats in constituencies that are bordering India. Over the years, the Jamaat has cultivated these constituencies by setting up radical schools, which indulge in propaganda. The Jamaat has often indulged in politics of hate and its stance has mostly been anti-India. Its strong control over border constituencies raises fears that it could help reactivate terror infrastructure that had earlier been dismantled.
An official said that reactivating the infrastructure may not be too easy as India is on guard. However, for the security agencies, it would be an ongoing process to ensure that the borders remain safe. Another official said that Yunus’s game appears to be controlled by foreign players, pointing out that he praised China and Pakistan at length while ignoring India. He also faced criticism for not addressing communal violence and the persecution of minorities during his tenure.