India, Feb. 17 -- Bangladesh's interim government chief Muhammad Yunus once again stirred debate by invoking the term "Seven Sisters" - a reference to India's northeastern states - without naming India, while highlighting the region's "immense economic potential" in his farewell address.

"Our open sea is not only a geographical boundary, it also remains an open door to engage with the world economy for Bangladesh," Yunus said. "This region, along with Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters, has immense economic potential."

Yunus made the remarks in his final speech to the nation a day before handing over power to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which returned to office after securing victory in the general elections.

Tarique Rahma...