Disputed Map in Book Gift Sparks Indo-Bangla Diplomatic Crisis

Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus has inadvertently triggered a significant diplomatic crisis by presenting a book with a controversial map to Pakistan’s General Sahir Shamshad Mirza during his visit to Dhaka. The book, identified as ‘Art of Triumph,’ allegedly portrays India’s northeastern states as integral parts of Bangladesh, lending credence to the dangerous ‘Greater Bangladesh’ ideology. This controversial act has triggered a wave of criticism from India and sparked outrage across social media, escalating diplomatic tensions. Observers are interpreting Yunus’s gesture as a symbolic endorsement of expansionist claims and a potential indicator of a deepening alliance between Bangladesh and Pakistan, possibly within a broader China-backed strategy to undermine India’s regional dominance. This incident is not isolated, recalling previous instances where Yunus’s remarks and actions have led to friction with India, including the suspension of trade agreements. The current situation is being closely monitored by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, with experts deeming the map presentation a deliberate affront to India’s sovereignty.