Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s recent gift of the book ‘Art of Triumph’ to a visiting Turkish parliamentary delegation has inadvertently triggered a diplomatic storm, particularly concerning relations with India. The book, celebrated for its student-created artwork, carries a controversial map on its cover. This map has been widely interpreted as showing parts of India’s northeastern states, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, as belonging to Bangladesh. This echoes a prior incident where the same book was presented to a Pakistani senior military official. The map’s controversial nature stems from its resemblance to cartography associated with the ‘Greater Bangladesh’ concept, advocated by Islamic extremist groups aiming to annex Indian territories. This has fueled speculation and anxiety regarding potential territorial disputes and strained relations between Bangladesh and India. India’s Ministry of External Affairs is reportedly keeping a close watch on the developments, although no official comment has been released. Experts suggest that Yunus’s choice of this particular visual may be perceived as a tacit endorsement of expansionist claims, causing diplomatic friction. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of recent positive diplomatic exchanges, such as Yunus’s meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UNGA, focusing on bolstering bilateral ties and economic cooperation. Yunus had previously commented on the ‘rough patch’ in India-Bangladesh relations, citing student-led protests and critical Indian media coverage.
