National Citizen Party southern region chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah threatened that Bangladesh could provide refuge to separatists from India’s northeastern states, known as the Seven Sisters, if India continues to shelter forces destabilising Bangladesh. The remarks escalated tensions between the two neighbours.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Abdullah spoke at an all-party protest rally organised by Inqilab Mancha at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Monday. He accused India of backing elements undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty, voting rights and human rights.
India Today reported Abdullah stating, “If Bangladesh is destabilised, the fire of resistance will spread beyond borders. Since you are housing those who destabilise us, we will give refuge to the separatists of the Seven Sisters too.” He warned that sheltering such forces could isolate the northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura—from mainland India.
The rally protested an attack on Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Abdullah linked the incident to broader destabilisation efforts allegedly supported by India. The Business Standard quoted him criticising ongoing interference 54 years after Bangladesh’s independence.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the statements irresponsible and dangerous on Tuesday. Sentinel Assam reported Sarma warning that India would respond firmly to any attempts to destabilise the Northeast.
Historically, India accused separatist groups from the region of using Bangladesh as a base in the 1990s and early 2000s. Cooperation improved under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who cracked down on such outfits after 2009.
The National Citizen Party, a student-led outfit formed in 2025, has emerged amid post-uprising politics. Abdullah, known for anti-India positions, drew applause for his remarks.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
