Imagine waking up to a world where familiar borders on the map suddenly shift overnight—now that's a headline that could shake up international relations! But here's where it gets controversial: Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has stirred up a storm by gifting a Pakistani general a map that redraws the lines, boldly claiming parts of India's northeast as Bangladesh territory. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just a slip-up; it's tied to a provocative idea called 'Greater Bangladesh' that could redefine regional power dynamics. Let's dive into the details, unpacking this story step by step so everyone can follow along, no matter if you're new to geopolitics or a seasoned observer.
The controversy kicked off in April 2025 when this altered map was showcased at an exhibition celebrating Pohela Baishakh, the vibrant Bengali New Year, held at the University of Dhaka. Fast-forward to October 2025, and we're still talking about it because of Yunus' gesture to Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairperson, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, during his trip to Dhaka. The photo, posted on Yunus' official X account, features a book called 'Art of Triumph: Bangladesh's New Dawn,' which pays homage to the powerful 2024 student-led movement that ousted Sheikh Hasina's government—a true testament to youth activism in action.
But the real flashpoint? That distorted map inside the book. It doesn't just show Bangladesh as it is; it expands it dramatically, incorporating Assam and other northeastern Indian states as if they were always part of the nation. For beginners wondering what this means, think of it as a 'what if' scenario where historical or cultural ties are used to redraw borders, potentially ignoring legal agreements and sovereignty. This concept is championed by a Dhaka-based Islamist group known as Sultanat-e-Bangla, whose vision of a 'Greater Bangladesh' goes even further, encompassing India's entire Northeast region, parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and even Myanmar's Arakan state. It's like a dream of a vast, unified Bengali homeland, but one that clashes head-on with existing maps and treaties.
This isn't a one-off blip. The map resurfaced in April 2025 at that University of Dhaka event, but echoes of it trace back to 2024 when Nahidul Islam, a close aide to Yunus, shared a similar image online, proposing a 'Greater Bangladesh' that included slices of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam. To put this in perspective, imagine if a neighbor suddenly claimed your backyard because of old family stories—it's bound to spark heated debates! Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala even brought it up in India's Rajya Sabha in August 2025, highlighting how such ideas can fuel tensions.
This isn't Yunus' first foray into commenting on India's northeast. During a trip to China in April, he described Dhaka as the 'only guardian of the ocean' for the region, pointing out that India's seven northeastern states are landlocked, lacking direct sea access. 'These eastern Indian states... they're essentially cut off from the sea, with no straightforward path to maritime trade,' he explained. Naturally, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar fired back, emphasizing the northeast's role as a vital connectivity hub within BIMSTEC—a regional grouping including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It's a classic case of differing views on geography and strategy, where one sees isolation and another sees opportunity.
And here's where it gets even trickier: since Sheikh Hasina's government fell, India-Bangladesh relations have hit rocky patches. Yunus has been building stronger ties with China and Pakistan, which some see as a strategic pivot. Ousted PM Hasina's presence in India as a guest hasn't helped, adding layers of diplomatic strain between these close neighbors.
To understand the bigger picture, remember that India isn't new to these border brouhahas. Take the ongoing disputes with China: despite warming relations, Beijing still asserts claims over Arunachal Pradesh (which they call South Tibet) and Aksai Chin in Ladakh. In 2023, China's Ministry of Natural Resources released a map labeling these areas as Chinese territory, prompting India's firm protest to the Chinese foreign ministry. And it's not just India— that same map irked five other countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, over South China Sea claims, showing how one nation's cartographic choices can ripple globally.
Then there's Pakistan, with its persistent claims over Jammu and Kashmir, divided into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, plus Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These aren't just lines on a page; they're flashpoints in real-world conflicts that have shaped wars and peace talks.
Now, for the controversial twist: Some might argue that 'Greater Bangladesh' is merely a cultural or ideological aspiration, a way to honor shared Bengali heritage across borders. Others see it as a dangerous revival of irredentism—think of it like historical revanchism, where past grievances fuel desires for territorial expansion, potentially at the expense of neighbors' sovereignty. Yunus' gifts and statements could be interpreted as diplomatic maneuvers to assert influence, but they risk alienating India and complicating regional stability. Is this a bold vision for unity, or a recipe for division? And could inviting discussion on such maps lead to more inclusive dialogue, or just fan the flames of nationalism?
What do you think? Does gifting a map like this cross a line in international etiquette, or is it just free expression in a globalized world? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you side with Yunus' perspective, or does it make you worry about border security? Let's keep the conversation going!
