A controversial social media post by Major General (Retd.) A L M Fazlur Rahman, a close aide to Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has ignited diplomatic concerns in the region. Rahman, appointed to a high-ranking government role, suggested that Bangladesh should partner with China to seize India’s Northeastern states if India retaliates militarily against Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

“If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of Northeastern India. I think it is necessary to start discussions with China on a joint military arrangement in this regard,” Rahman posted.

Rahman, a former Director General of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), is a polarizing figure in India due to his alleged role in the 2001 killing of 16 BSF jawans at Boraibari near the Assam-Meghalaya-Bangladesh border.

His recent appointment as Chairman of the National Independent Commission probing the 2009 BDR mutiny—an incident that left 74 dead, including military officers—has raised eyebrows. His new role carries the status of a Supreme Court Appellate Division judge, underscoring his elevated political influence under the Yunus-led interim administration.

Rahman’s remarks were swiftly disowned by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issued a statement Friday clarifying that his comments do not represent the official stance of the government.

“The comments do not reflect the position or policies of the government of Bangladesh, and as such, the government neither endorses nor supports such rhetoric in any form or manner,” the ministry said.

Observers note that Rahman’s comments echo the geopolitical leanings of Muhammad Yunus himself, who has been seeking deeper ties with China. During a March visit to Beijing, Yunus proposed expanding China’s economic presence in the region and controversially stated that “Dhaka is the only guardian of the ocean” for landlocked Northeast India.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s economy has been in turmoil since Yunus assumed power in August 2024. Over 140 garment factories have shut down, displacing more than 100,000 workers. Industrial giants like BEXIMCO have ceased operations, and more than 60% of Chattogram’s steel sector faces collapse. With severe disruptions in the production of steel, cement, and fertilizer, Bangladesh now faces an economic crisis compounded by soaring inflation at 9.35%.

Foreign investment has sharply declined amid political instability, stalling economic growth and job creation. What was once seen as one of South Asia’s most promising economies is now mired in uncertainty.

Rahman’s incendiary rhetoric may further complicate Bangladesh’s already fragile diplomatic standing—especially with its largest neighbor, India.