Turkey-backed group circulates ‘Greater Bangladesh’ map showing parts of India: Report

A Turkish NGO-backed Islamist group in Dhaka allegedly displayed maps of ‘Greater Bangladesh’ — that comprised several Indian states of Eastern and Northeast regions.

According to an Economic Times report, a group ‘Saltanat-e-Bangla’ allegedly put out the controversial map of the so-called "Greater Bangladesh". The map marked Myanmar's Arakan State, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the entire Northeast region of India as part of ‘Greater Bangladesh’.

The map reportedly appeared in university halls across Dhaka, areas frequented by youth and students.

Mint could not independently verify these reports.

In March this year, Md Yunus' goverment urged China to extend its economic influence to Bangladesh, controversially mentioning that India’s northeastern states being landlocked could prove to be an opportunity.

Yunus, who met President Xi Jinping and signed nine agreements with Beijing during the trip, was quoted by PTI as saying, “The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean.”

Calling Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region, he said this could be a huge opportunity and could be an extension of the Chinese economy.

Turkey-Bangladesh ties

According to ET, Turkey is increasing its influence in Bangladesh, mirroring its relationship with Pakistan. Turkey has reportedly stepped up its engagement through proposed military supplies to the Bangladesh armed forces.

Turkish NGOs aligned with the country's ruling AKP have also grown increasingly active in Bangladesh, with Pakistan allegedly playing a role in bringing the two countries closer since August last year.

Experts on Turkish affairs told ET that the extent of Muslim Brotherhood influence on Bangladesh's Islamists, as well as the role of Turkish NGOs, must be closely monitored.

India-Bangladesh ties

The development came as India-Bangladesh relations nosedived dramatically after Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.

Bangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at $12.9 billion in 2023-24, news agency PTI reported.

On May 17, India restricted imports worth $770 million from Bangladesh, covering nearly 42 per cent of bilateral imports. Key goods like garments, processed foods, and plastic items are now limited to select sea ports or barred from land routes entirely.

Bangladesh exports over $700 million worth of readymade garments annually to India.