Map Or Flag? Why Bangladesh's Gift To Pakistan Is Stirring Anger In India

Bangladesh has stoked fresh controversy after its interim head Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus gifted a coffee table book with a puzzling cover to Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, General

Sahir Shamshad Mirza.The book cover seemed to depict parts of Indian territory in Bangladesh. However, many Bangladeshi handles on X argued that the cover simply showed the national flag of Bangladesh. Others, however, were not convinced.The book, titled 'Art of Triump, Graffiti of Bangladesh's New Dawn', was presented at Dhaka's State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday.Soon after, images of the cover began circulating on social media, with users questioning if it was a "map or a flag?"Some Bangladeshi X handles defended the cover saying that it was "not a map but a painting of Bangladesh’s national flag" and should not be misinterpreted.Dhaka has not issued any official comment on the controversy so far. A statement from Yunus's office said, "The visiting Chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna late Saturday. During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, including the growing importance of bilateral trade, investment, and defence cooperation."