On February 17, 2026, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus resigned following the recent parliamentary elections, where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a significant victory, winning 212 out of 299 seats, thus gaining a two-thirds majority. In his farewell speech, Yunus criticized India's so-called secularism without naming it directly, stating, "Bangladesh's sea is not just a national border but a gateway to the global economy," referencing the northeastern Indian states known as the 'Seven Sisters.' This remark has raised concerns in India, as it suggests a potential shift in regional dynamics, with Yunus positioning Bangladesh as a crucial economic partner for neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. His comments were perceived as an attempt to highlight the isolation of these Indian states, which are geographically cut off from the rest of India, and to assert Bangladesh's role as their maritime access point. Yunus's previous statements during a visit to China had already stirred controversy, where he labeled these states as 'landlocked' and emphasized Bangladesh's strategic importance in the region. As he stepped down, he emphasized the need for continued democratic processes, stating, "The journey of democracy, freedom of expression, and fundamental rights must not stop."