Dhaka, May 14 — Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has proposed a visionary plan for comprehensive economic integration among Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the seven northeastern states of India. Emphasizing the transformative potential of cross-border collaboration, Prof. Yunus outlined his proposal during a meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Nepal’s House of Representatives, currently on an official visit to Bangladesh.
The discussion centered on the scope for regional cooperation in strategic sectors such as hydropower, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. “There should be an integrated economic plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Seven Sisters,” Prof. Yunus stated, underscoring the urgency of advancing shared energy and infrastructure initiatives to unlock sustainable development across the region.
A key highlight of the dialogue was the recent signing of the Bangladesh-Nepal-India Tripartite Power Sales Agreement, which enables the transfer of 40 megawatts of Nepalese hydropower to Bangladesh via India’s electricity grid. Both sides acknowledged the milestone as a model for future cross-border energy cooperation.
In addition to energy, Prof. Yunus spotlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing regional healthcare accessibility. He announced the development of a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, which will be open to patients from neighboring Nepal and Bhutan, describing the initiative as a step toward “regional health security and shared prosperity.”
Strategic Regional Positioning and Comments on India’s Northeast
Prof. Yunus has also advocated for deeper international economic engagement with Bangladesh, particularly during an earlier visit to China, where he made a notable pitch for regional connectivity. Framing Bangladesh as a strategic gateway to the ocean for the landlocked northeastern states of India, he remarked: “The seven states of eastern India — the Seven Sisters — have no access to the sea. We are the only guardian of the ocean.”
Encouraging Chinese investment, he added, “Build, produce, market — Bangladesh is ideally positioned as a hub. Nepal and Bhutan have hydropower resources that can be integrated into this ecosystem. Production can happen in Bangladesh and goods can flow to China.”
The comments sparked responses within India’s policy circles. Sanjeev Sanyal, economist and member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, publicly questioned the framing of India’s internal geography in a pitch to Beijing. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked: “Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are landlocked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?”
Prof. Yunus’s proposal adds momentum to the ongoing dialogue on subregional integration in South Asia, positioning Bangladesh as a central player in reshaping cross-border economic and infrastructural connectivity.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.