During his recent visit to China, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus referred to the 'Seven Sisters' as landlocked and called Bangladesh the guardian of the sea route. On Wednesday, his special envoy, Khalilur Rahman, clarified this statement. He noted that the Chief Adviser had made similar remarks in 2012. In 2023, Japan's then-Prime Minister Kishida also proposed integrating Northeast India and Bangladesh into a value chain, referencing a "Single Economic Zone" under the 'Big B Initiative.' Khalilur Rahman stated, "Connectivity will unlock the region's potential, particularly for those struggling with sea access. However, we will not impose connectivity by force; it is up to others to accept or reject it."