The Bangladeshi government has acted quickly to defuse a diplomatic dispute with India. It has backed away from a contentious "Greater Bangladesh" map and the little-known Islamist movement suspected of displaying it. The step came after a stern warning by India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar.
Jaishankar threatened that India is keeping a very close eye on events with national security ramifications.
The "Greater Bangladesh" Map Controversy
The furor began over a map shown at Dhaka University. It supposedly depicted an enlarged "Greater Bangladesh" incorporating vast tracts of Indian land, including West Bengal and some of the northeastern states. The map was allegedly associated with an unknown group called "Sultanate e Bangla." The media reports stated that the group was aided by a Turkish NGO.
In the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar assured that the Indian government had seen the reports and was moving in the right direction to protect national security. He further said that the Bangladeshi government's fact-checking website BanglaFact had asserted there was no proof of "Sultanate e Bangla" working in the country.
Dhaka's Diplomatic Action and Clarification
Dhaka responded swiftly. Officials, hoping to defuse the situation, reaffirmed BanglaFact's conclusion. They explained that the map in question belonged to a historical exhibition. The map, they insisted, was a reference to the medieval Bengal Sultanate's territorial extent and not a claim of territorial extent today. The exhibition organizers also refuted any involvement with foreign political groups or agendas.
This quick clarification by Dhaka underscores the delicacy of its political relationship with New Delhi. The "Sultanate e Bangla" episode, although declared non-political by Bangladesh as a mere historical context, was a sensitive issue in India. New Delhi has been careful to watch out for rising anti-India feelings and foreign interference in its neighborhood.
Jaishankar's firm but contained reaction reinforced India's determination to secure its borders and national interests. The incident is a reminder of the sensitive geopolitics in South Asia. Prompt diplomatic dialogue is important to avoid misunderstandings spilling over into larger conflagrations.