Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday voiced strong concern over what he described as a growing trend of anti-India narratives emerging from Bangladesh, particularly discussions that allegedly question India’s sovereignty over the Northeast. Terming such rhetoric dangerous, the Chief Minister said India cannot remain a silent spectator to repeated statements that challenge its territorial integrity.
Speaking to the media on December 16, Sarma claimed that for more than a year, certain sections in Bangladesh have been openly discussing the idea of separating the Northeast from India. He asserted that such discourse poses a direct threat to national unity and warned that the Indian government would respond firmly if these narratives continue unchecked. Emphasising India’s global standing, he said the country is a nuclear power and the world’s fourth-largest economy, and cannot be intimidated by hostile propaganda.
The Chief Minister also hinted that New Delhi may need to reassess its approach towards Bangladesh if anti-India sentiments persist. “Repeated talk about detaching the Northeast from India is unacceptable. India will not remain silent if such behaviour continues,” Sarma said.
His remarks come amid reports of anti-India content circulating on social media platforms in Bangladesh. Tensions were further fuelled by an incident in October 2025, when a distorted map of India’s Northeast was reportedly displayed during a meeting between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Pakistan’s top military leadership. Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, had met Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, with official statements indicating discussions on trade, investment and defence cooperation. However, the altered map triggered concern in India.
This was not the first such instance. Last year, India had lodged a strong protest over a social media post by senior Bangladeshi leader Mahfuz Alam that inaccurately showed parts of Assam, Tripura and West Bengal as Bangladeshi territory. The post was later removed following India’s objection, with New Delhi urging greater responsibility in public communications.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Hojai district, Sarma also focused on development initiatives, launching the distribution of financial assistance to women entrepreneurs under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan. Under the scheme, more than 27,000 women in the Lumding constituency received seed capital support, while over 20,000 women from rural and urban areas in Barpeta district benefited, underscoring the state government’s push towards women-led economic empowerment.
