Yunus Sparks Row with ‘Greater Bangladesh’ Map Gift to Pakistan General

A controversial map depicting parts of India’s northeast as Bangladeshi territory, presented in a book by Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus to Pakistan’s General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, has ignited a significant diplomatic firestorm. The book, titled ‘Art of Triumph,’ allegedly includes a map that aligns with the extremist ‘Greater Bangladesh’ narrative, which proposes territorial expansion into India. This gesture has drawn sharp criticism from political observers and sparked outrage on social media platforms in both India and Bangladesh, escalating tensions between the two South Asian nations. Analysts suggest this action could signal a shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy and a potential alignment with Pakistan and China, challenging India’s regional influence. This incident follows previous remarks by Yunus perceived as anti-India, including comments made during a visit to China that led to the suspension of a transit agreement. The gifting of the map is being viewed as a deliberate provocation, raising concerns about the stability of India-Bangladesh relations.