Yunus stirs fresh controversy by presenting map including Indian territories to Turkish officials

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has sparked a fresh controversy by presenting Turkish officials with a map of Bangladesh that appeared to include Indian territories. The Nobel Laureate had earlier shared a similar version of a ‘Greater Bangladesh’ map with a Pakistani general last month. During his visit to China in April, he had also made remarks about northeastern India, calling Dhaka the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region.

According to reports, Yunus presented a coffee table book titled ‘Art of Triumph’ to a visiting Turkish delegation last week. The book contained a distorted map of Bangladesh that seemed to show India’s seven northeastern states as part of Bangladeshi territory. A report by News18, citing unnamed sources, claimed that the document also featured “battle plans” and “post-victory management frameworks” for these states.

The move is being seen by many as deliberate, especially as it comes at a time when India’s relations with both Turkey and Pakistan are strained. The idea of a ‘Greater Bangladesh’ had first surfaced in 2024, when Yunus’s close aide Nahidul Islam floated the concept of expanding the country’s territory to include parts of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam. The same distorted map was later displayed at an exhibition at the University of Dhaka in April 2025.

Amid growing cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan, Indian defence officials said they are keeping a close watch on the situation. “I want to assure you that all three defence forces and agencies are monitoring the situation and developments, and we are taking all necessary steps,” said Indian Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.

Just last week, the Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, met with Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.