Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ A controversial map released during a recent exhibition at Dhaka University sparked concern in India since it featured areas of Indian territory as belonging to a so-called ‘Greater Bangladesh.’ The map, displayed at a cultural event in Dhaka, showed parts of India’s eastern and northeastern territories, sparking considerable worries in New Delhi about its potential political and security consequences. Accordingly, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the controversial issue in Parliament, confirming that the Indian government is aware of the matter and is taking it seriously. The map, reportedly displayed at a historical exhibition marking the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh), featured Indian states such as West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and parts of Bihar and Odisha, along with Myanmar’s Rakhine (Arakan) state, as part of an expanded Bangladesh.
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Responding to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jaishankar stated that the map had been linked to a little-known Islamist outfit in Bangladesh named “Saltanat-e-Bangla,” which is believed to be supported by a Turkish organization called the Turkish Youth Federation. He noted that Indian authorities had taken note of the map’s display and are assessing the broader context. However, the government of Bangladesh has pushed back on these claims. According to BanglaFact, a state-run fact-checking initiative in Bangladesh, there is no verifiable evidence that the group “Saltanat-e-Bangla” is active in the country. The platform also clarified that the map was part of a historical reference to the medieval Bengal Sultanate and not linked to any current political movement. The exhibition’s organizers have also denied any affiliation with foreign political interests or organizations.
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Despite these assurances, India’s intelligence agencies remain alarmed. According to officials, extreme Islamist themes, such as the concept of a ‘Greater Bangladesh,’ have found popularity in some marginalized groups, particularly those supported by overseas Islamist groups. The concern is not only about a symbolic map but also about the possible efforts to ideologically mobilize youth in Bangladesh under the guise of historical revivalism. Security agencies in India are also examining the involvement of Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs), many of which have increased their presence in Bangladesh in recent years. One such organization, the Turkish Youth Federation, is accused of supporting the group behind the contentious map. Another NGO, the IHH (Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief), has already received international attention for possible ties to terrorist networks.
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India sees Turkey’s growing footprint in Bangladesh as a strategic development that warrants closer observation. Over the past few years, Turkish NGOs and government-backed entities have been active in development and education projects across Bangladesh. These include scholarship programs, religious outreach, and infrastructural improvements, some of which are located near India’s sensitive border zones, such as Lalmonirhat, near the Siliguri Corridor, a small length that connects mainland India to its northeastern provinces. While the map does not represent the Bangladeshi government’s official viewpoint, Indian officials are concerned that such symbolic gestures may be exploited as soft power instruments by external players to undermine India’s territorial integrity. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its official reply, stated that India is “closely monitoring all developments that have implications for national security” and will “take all necessary steps to safeguard it.”
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When asked whether India has raised the issue diplomatically with Bangladesh or Turkey, the MEA did not provide details about the nature of any ongoing diplomatic engagements. However, it reaffirmed that the government remains alert to foreign influences in South Asia and their potential impact on India’s internal security. Additionally, opposition leaders have also voiced concern, questioning whether India is doing enough to counter the influence of countries like Turkey and Pakistan in Bangladesh. Notably, MP Randeep Singh Surjewala specifically asked the government to assess the security implications of foreign-backed ideologies taking root in neighboring countries, particularly in light of growing Chinese and Turkish involvement in the region.
The idea of a “Greater Bangladesh” is not new, but it has resurfaced occasionally in fringe discourse, typically among ultra-nationalist or Islamist groups. It refers to an imagined expansion of Bangladesh to include regions historically connected through language, culture, or political rule during the Bengal Sultanate. Indian officials fear that even symbolic references to such concepts could fuel secessionist or extremist sentiments, especially in sensitive border areas. So far, the Bangladeshi government has reiterated that there is no evidence of any active campaign to promote this idea within its borders. BanglaFact emphasized that the exhibition’s content was purely historical and academic in nature, not intended to challenge modern political boundaries. The organizers of the Dhaka University event have also distanced themselves from any foreign political influence or ideology.
Despite these assurances, Indian security officials remain vigilant. According to intelligence, parties spreading the ‘Greater Bangladesh’ narrative may be aiming to rekindle ideological memories of the ancient Bengal Sultanate in order to further a larger Islamist political agenda. As India continues to engage diplomatically with Bangladesh, authorities warn they will closely monitor any events, symbolic or otherwise, that may threaten regional stability and the country’s sovereignty. The administration has not ruled out additional diplomatic engagement if necessary but has stressed that national security remains its first concern.
