A recent presentation by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, has reignited regional diplomatic sensitivities. While meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, Yunus gifted them a book titled ‘Art of Triumph.’ The book, showcasing student artwork, features a controversial map on its cover that appears to depict India’s northeastern states as part of Bangladesh. This incident echoes a previous occasion where Yunus presented the same book, with the disputed map, to a Pakistani military official. The map bears a striking resemblance to those promoted by extremist groups advocating for a ‘Greater Bangladesh,’ a concept that includes territorial expansion into India. This has led to concerns about potential renewed tensions between Bangladesh and India. While India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a formal statement, it is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. The book’s imagery has led analysts to suggest that Yunus’s choice may unintentionally signal support for these territorial aspirations, causing unease in diplomatic and security sectors. This development follows a period where bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan saw discussions on enhancing trade and cultural ties during a meeting between Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly. Previously, Yunus had commented on strained India-Bangladesh relations, attributing difficulties to student protests and what he described as ‘fake’ Indian media reports potentially exacerbating tensions.
