Dhaka, 27 Oct

Bangladesh’s interim head Muhammad Yunus has triggered a diplomatic storm after gifting Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairperson, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, a book with a cover displaying a distorted map depicting India’s seven northeastern states as part of Bangladesh, officials and diplomatic sources said.

The controversial exchange took place during Mirza’s courtesy call on Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening, where both leaders discussed trade, investment and defence cooperation, according to an official statement from the Chief Adviser’s office.

The book, titled “Art of Triumph”, carried a map extending Bangladesh’s borders to include Assam and other northeastern states, imagery that echoes the “Greater Bangladesh” narrative propagated by fringe Islamist groups claiming parts of India’s Northeast.

The gesture has provoked strong outrage in India, with senior intelligence officials describing it as a “psy-war signal” and a deliberate symbolic move to undermine India’s territorial integrity. The incident comes amid heightened cross-border tensions and concerns over Pakistan-backed networks operating via Bangladesh.

General Mirza’s visit, part of a renewed push for bilateral engagement, was accompanied by remarks from both sides on strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity, and defence. The Pakistan Army chief said both countries “will support each other” and confirmed that a Karachi–Chittagong shipping route is operational, with a Dhaka–Karachi air route to follow soon.