Jaishankar Counters Yunus, Highlights India’s Longest Bay of Bengal Coastlin

Jaishankar Counters Yunus, Says India Has Longest Bay Coastline

In recent comments, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, reiterated the fact that India has the longest coastline along the Bay of Bengal, throwing an indirect barb at Nobel laureate and Bangladeshi economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This has triggered discussions on regional cooperation and the equitable distribution of maritime resources among the nations bordering the Bay of Bengal.

Within the recent address delivered earlier by S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, special reference was made to the 6500- kilometer coastline of the country on the Bay of Bengal and backed by India’s vast geographical and strategic presence in the region. This was also an attuned statement concerning the remarks made by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, who defined India’s northeastern region with the assessment of “landlocked” almost having “no way to reach out to the ocean.” Jaishankar further bashed such perspectives as “cherry-picking,” urging more comprehensive and inclusive approaches toward regional cooperation.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar comment on the India’s coastline focus on the nation’s significant geographical and strategic presence in the region. This was directed at comments made by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, who termed India’s northeastern part as “landlocked” and “having no way to reach out to the ocean.” Jaishankar went on to say that such viewpoints should be called “cherry-picking” and called for much broader and inclusive approaches on regional cooperation.

Such a claim by Dr. Jaishankar would underline the fact that the geographical presence of India in the Bay of Bengal region is considerable. The country has a coastline of more than 7,500 kilometers, with a significant length facing east towards the Bay of Bengal. This indeed makes the country a major player in the maritime dynamics of the region. Strong trade and commerce are facilitated through this immense coastline, which also makes India a key player in regional security and environmental initiatives.

Thus, the context of Dr. Jaishankar’s remarks paves way for a larger discourse on the subject of regional cooperation within the Bay. India has already shown its deep involvement in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to promote economic and technical cooperation among the states around the Bay. The comment about India’s long coastline might be interpreted as Dr. Jaishankar’s support for a more holistic and consorted effort in addressing regional issues as he brings forth that contributions and concerns of all the member countries should be taken into account together rather than in isolation.

Dr. Jaishankar, using the word “cherry-picking,” was criticising that selective use or appreciation of issues in regional discourse. This indeed is a tone suggestive of calling for more balanced and fair discussions that heed the opinions and interests of all nations involved rather than shining only on specific issues or concerns.

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Maritime connectivity is vital for the Bay of Bengal, whether in terms of security, environment, or economic development. Besides piracy patrols and fisheries management, it would involve all coastal states for assistance in disaster responses. India’s coastline and maritime capabilities would provide the charge to effect significant contributions to the collective endeavors for security and prosperity in the region. It also strengthens India’s strategic position geographically in the Bay of Bengal for the wider Indo-Pacific initiatives.

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