Bangladesh Interim Chief Gifts Map Showing India’s Northeast as Bangladesh, Sparks Diplomatic Row

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has triggered fresh diplomatic turbulence after presenting a Pakistani general with a book bearing a map that depicted India’s northeastern states — including Assam — as part of Bangladesh. The gift was handed over during a high-level meeting in Dhaka with Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chair, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, amid warming relations between the two countries.

The incident occurred over the weekend during Mirza’s visit to Dhaka. Images shared on social media by Yunus showed him presenting a copy of “Art of Triumph” to the senior Pakistani general. What drew wide attention was the printed map on the book cover that significantly distorted regional boundaries, depicting India’s seven northeastern states as part of Bangladesh — a depiction aligned with fringe “Greater Bangladesh” narratives promoted by radical groups.

Repeated References to India’s Northeast

Yunus has previously referenced India’s northeast in official engagements, reaffirming his interest in the region’s geopolitical dynamics. During a visit to China in April, he described the eastern Indian states as “landlocked” and suggested that Bangladesh was the “only guardian of the ocean” for that region, implicitly inviting China’s economic expansion into those territories. His remarks raised fresh concerns in New Delhi about Bangladesh’s strategic positioning.

New Delhi’s Response and Concern

India has not yet issued an official statement regarding the recent incident, but previous comments by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underline India’s firm stance on its northeastern region. The minister reiterated the area’s strategic importance, particularly as a connectivity corridor under BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and stressed India’s sovereignty.

Under Yunus’s leadership, ties between Bangladesh and India have seen increasing strains, especially as Dhaka appears to seek closer alignment with Pakistan and China. Analysts note that this incident, along with past remarks linked to “Greater Bangladesh” aspirations, may reflect a broader strategic recalibration.

Broader Implications

Observers suggest that Yunus’s repeated invoking of India’s northeast may be a calculated attempt to influence regional geopolitics and foster alliances across China and Pakistan. For New Delhi, the incident serves as a reminder of sensitivities around its northeastern territorial integrity and the need for vigilant diplomacy.

Investigations into associated remarks and the political messaging of such actions continue. As the situation unfolds, cross-border diplomacy, map controversies, and regional alliances remain under sharp scrutiny.