DHAKA/NEW DELHI: (Oct 27) A diplomatic stir erupted after Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, presented a coffee table book to Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, which appeared to feature a purported map depicting parts of India as Bangladesh’s territory.
The book, titled “Art of Triumph: Graffiti of Bangladesh’s New Dawn,” was presented to General Mirza during his courtesy call on Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Saturday. The cover image — resembling a map-like outline — has triggered controversy online, with several users alleging that it portrays Indian regions within Bangladesh’s borders.
Bangladeshi social media users, however, have countered the claim, saying the image is an abstract painting inspired by Bangladesh’s national flag, not a territorial map.
The Bangladesh government has not yet issued an official statement clarifying the matter.
According to an official release, the two leaders discussed “bilateral trade, investment, and defence cooperation,” emphasizing the growing importance of Bangladesh–Pakistan relations.
This isn’t the first time a map-related controversy has tested Dhaka–New Delhi ties. In December 2024, India lodged a strong protest after a key aide of the interim administration, Mahfuz Alam, shared a map on Facebook showing parts of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura as Bangladeshi territory. The post was later deleted following backlash.
At the time, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladeshi officials to be “mindful” of their public communications, confirming that New Delhi had formally taken up the issue with Dhaka.
Earlier this year, Yunus also drew criticism in India after referring to the country’s northeast as “landlocked” and inviting China to “expand its influence” in the region — remarks that sparked diplomatic rebuke from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As of now, Indian officials have not issued a comment on the latest incident involving the book presented to the Pakistani general.