A diplomatic incident has erupted following a controversial gift presented by Bangladesh’s interim head, Muhammad Yunus, to a Pakistani general. The gift included a map that erroneously depicted Indian states in the Northeast, including Assam, as part of Bangladesh. This alarming cartographic representation was given to General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, during his recent visit to Dhaka.
A photograph of the book, titled ‘Art of Triumph: Bangladesh’s New Dawn,’ which reportedly commemorates a student movement, was shared on Yunus’ official X account. However, the map’s inclusion of sovereign Indian territories has drawn sharp criticism and ignited concerns about territorial integrity.
This map aligns with the ‘Greater Bangladesh’ concept, a notion previously promoted by a Dhaka-based Islamist group, Sultanat-e-Bangla. This expansionist vision includes not only India’s entire northeastern region but also West Bengal, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, along with Myanmar’s Arakan state. This concept first surfaced publicly in April during an exhibition at the University of Dhaka and was later raised in India’s Rajya Sabha. Previously, a close aide of Yunus had also shared a similar map, signaling an intent behind this narrative.
This incident is not the first time Yunus has made remarks regarding India’s Northeast. Earlier this year, during a trip to China, he referred to the region’s northeastern states as landlocked and positioned Bangladesh as their sole oceanic gateway. In response, India’s External Affairs Minister highlighted the Northeast’s crucial role in regional connectivity, particularly within the BIMSTEC framework. Strained relations between India and Bangladesh have been observed since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government, with Yunus reportedly strengthening ties with China and Pakistan, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.