Seven Indian states shown in Bangladesh map; Massive outrage erupts

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has sparked a major controversy after presenting a Pakistani general with a map depicting seven Indian states, including Assam, as part of Bangladesh. An image of Yunus handing over the map to General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has triggered widespread outrage on social media.

The photograph is said to have been taken during a meeting between Yunus and General Mirza, which was aimed at improving Bangladesh–Pakistan relations. It must be noted that the ties between both nations have remained strained since the 1971 Liberation War. Yunus himself shared the image of the meeting on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, prompting strong criticism online.

So far, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not issued an official response to the incident.

This is not the first time Yunus has made controversial remarks regarding India. In an earlier statement, he had said:

“The seven northeastern states of India are surrounded by the sea, and they have no direct land access. We are the guardians of this region and the sea.”

Those remarks had also sparked widespread protests across India at the time.