A recent diplomatic exchange has ignited a significant controversy, drawing attention to territorial claims between India and Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, presented a book to Pakistan’s General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, which contained a map depicting Indian northeastern states as part of Bangladesh. This ‘Greater Bangladesh’ concept, illustrated in the book ‘Art of Triumph: Bangladesh’s New Dawn’, has caused considerable diplomatic friction.
The map, which has previously surfaced, notably during an exhibition at Dhaka University and in earlier statements by Yunus’ associates, shows an expanded Bangladesh encompassing not only India’s northeast but also parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, along with Myanmar’s Arakan state. This depiction has been met with strong criticism, particularly from India, which views it as a provocative territorial assertion.
This incident occurs amidst a period of strained relations between India and Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Yunus’ increasing engagement with China and Pakistan, coupled with Hasina’s exile in India, has further complicated the diplomatic landscape. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has previously highlighted the strategic importance of India’s northeastern region as a vital connectivity hub for the BIMSTEC bloc, countering any claims of it being landlocked and solely reliant on Bangladesh for ocean access.
This event is not isolated, as India has ongoing territorial disputes with both China and Pakistan. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin, while Islamabad maintains claims over the entire Kashmir region. The inclusion of Indian territory in the gift to a Pakistani general underscores the sensitive nature of regional borders and historical narratives.