India has lodged a strong protest over a Facebook post by Bangladeshi Advisor Mahfuj Alam that depicted a map of “undivided Bengal,” including regions currently part of India, such as West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Manipur.
“We have taken this up with the Bangladeshi government and registered our strong objection,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a press briefing in New Delhi on Friday. “We understand the controversial post has been removed.”
Jaiswal emphasized the importance of responsible communication, noting that India has urged Bangladeshi officials to exercise caution in public statements. “While we remain committed to fostering ties with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such remarks underscore the need for responsibility in public discourse,” he added.
The incident occurred on December 16, when Mahfuj shared a map on Facebook portraying an undivided Bengal that included present-day Bangladesh and neighboring Indian states. The post referred to the partition of Bengal in 1947 as a “fragmentation” and hinted at the need for “new territories and arrangements.” The post was deleted within hours, and neither Mahfuj nor the interim Bangladeshi government has commented further.
In response to a question about India-Bangladesh relations, Jaiswal highlighted Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Dhaka. He reiterated India’s commitment to a strong bilateral relationship based on democratic principles and mutual respect.
“We support a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said, underscoring India’s emphasis on mutual trust and sensitivity to shared interests. He also noted that India’s development initiatives, including trade, energy, and connectivity, are designed to benefit the Bangladeshi people.
Jaiswal concluded, “The people of Bangladesh are the main stakeholders in our bilateral ties, and our multifaceted engagements aim to meet their aspirations while strengthening India-Bangladesh relations.”
