Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has sparked a major diplomatic row after gifting a book to Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. The book’s cover carried a controversial map that depicted India’s northeastern states as part of Bangladesh. The gesture quickly drew condemnation across India, particularly in the northeastern states, where people viewed it as an attack on India’s territorial integrity.
Read More: Tripura Launches Food Support Scheme for TB Patients
What the map depicts and its implications
The book, titled “The Art of Triumph: Bangladesh’s New Dawn,” displayed imagery suggesting that parts of Assam and other northeastern regions belong to Bangladesh. Many observers interpreted this as a reference to the so-called “Greater Bangladesh” concept—an expansionist idea floated by some radical voices in the past. The incident reignited debates about the region’s geopolitical sensitivity and India’s sovereignty over its northeast.
Historical and strategic context
The northeastern region of India holds immense strategic value. The narrow Siliguri Corridor, often called the “Chicken’s Neck,” connects the region to the rest of the country. Any attempt, even symbolic, to redraw the boundaries challenges India’s sense of national unity. Over the past year, Bangladesh under Yunus has moved closer to Pakistan and China, signalling a diplomatic realignment that has unsettled New Delhi.
India’s policymakers view this shift as a potential threat to stability in the subcontinent. The northeast, with its complex mix of ethnic and cultural identities, remains particularly vulnerable to external political manoeuvres or narratives that question its belonging to India.
Reactions from India’s northeastern states
The incident provoked widespread outrage in Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. Protests broke out, and social media platforms were flooded with angry responses from citizens and regional leaders. Many described the act as an insult to the memory of the 1971 Liberation War and to those who fought for the sovereignty of Bangladesh with India’s support.
Several northeastern leaders urged the Indian government to issue a strong diplomatic protest. They emphasized that such symbolic gestures from a neighbouring country can destabilize the emotional and cultural ties that bind the region to the rest of India.
Bangladesh and Pakistan angle
The controversy comes amid improving relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Historically, Dhaka and Islamabad shared strained ties since 1971, but Yunus’ recent overtures toward Pakistan mark a change in tone. The meeting with General Mirza, followed by the map gift, was seen as a move that strengthens Pakistan’s influence in Dhaka.
For India, this development is worrying. It raises questions about Bangladesh’s future foreign policy direction and whether Dhaka may drift away from its traditionally strong ties with New Delhi. Analysts believe the map gift could serve as a subtle message of alignment rather than an innocent diplomatic gesture.
Dhaka’s cautious response
The Bangladeshi government issued a mild statement, saying that Yunus’ symbolic gestures do not necessarily represent the country’s official policy. Officials maintained that Bangladesh continues to value its relationship with India. However, this clarification did little to calm the situation. In India, many leaders and commentators expressed scepticism, viewing the act as deliberate provocation.
Diplomatic experts believe Dhaka’s soft response is an attempt to avoid confrontation while testing India’s reaction. The lack of firm denial from the Bangladeshi side has only fuelled speculation about deeper motives behind Yunus’ move.
Regional and strategic implications
The map controversy has once again highlighted the fragile balance of power in South Asia. India’s northeast plays a critical role in New Delhi’s “Act East Policy,” serving as a bridge to Southeast Asia. Any tension along this axis could disrupt connectivity projects and economic cooperation.
In the wake of the incident, India has reportedly reviewed certain trade and transport agreements with Bangladesh. New Delhi appears determined to signal that symbolic provocations have real consequences. The focus has now shifted toward protecting the northeast’s strategic interests and reinforcing the region’s development to counter external influences.
Risks for India’s Northeast
Analysts warn that such incidents could embolden separatist elements or foreign-funded groups trying to exploit local grievances. Any questioning of the region’s status can reignite old tensions and weaken faith in the central government. Therefore, India must respond not only through diplomacy but also through stronger developmental and security initiatives.
By improving connectivity, boosting job creation, and promoting cultural pride, India can strengthen the northeast’s resilience against external narratives. The incident serves as a reminder that national unity must be built both through policy and through people’s trust.
The road ahead for India and Bangladesh
The current tension need not spiral into long-term hostility if both countries act wisely. India should continue diplomatic engagement with Dhaka, pressing for clear commitments on respect for territorial integrity. Bangladesh, too, must recognise that friendly ties with India are essential for its own growth and regional peace.
However, if Dhaka continues to court Pakistan and China while allowing provocative symbols to circulate, trust could erode quickly. The future of India-Bangladesh relations will depend on whether mutual respect and restraint prevail over political symbolism.
Conclusion: A gesture with lasting impact
What seemed like a mere exchange of gifts has turned into a serious diplomatic controversy. The “Northeast India under Bangladesh” image gifted by Muhammad Yunus has shaken confidence between two neighbouring nations that once shared deep historical ties.
For India, it is a reminder that symbolism can carry powerful messages, sometimes more potent than words. The northeast remains at the heart of India’s strategic and cultural identity, and no external narrative can alter that truth. Yet, the incident underscores the need for vigilance, dialogue, and unity in protecting the region’s integrity and India’s national pride.
Read More: Assam University unveils new Cricket Bowling Machine and Astroturf facility