The Indian government has taken note of reports involving a controversial map shown in Dhaka that includes parts of Indian territory as part of a so-called "Greater Bangladesh," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply to a starred question by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jaishankar said the map was reportedly promoted by an Islamic group named Saltanat-e-Bangla, which is allegedly backed by a Turkish NGO, the Turkish Youth Federation.

"The Government has taken note of reports that an Islamist group in Dhaka called the ‘Saltanat-e-Bangla’, backed by a Turkish NGO called the ‘Turkish Youth Federation’, has put out a map of the so-called ‘Greater Bangladesh’ that includes parts of India. The map was displayed in the Dhaka University," Jaishankar said in a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to the MEA, the map was shown during an exhibition at Dhaka University held on Pohela Boisakh, the Bengali New Year, on April 14, 2025.

Bangladeshi fact-checking platform BanglaFactitno. It further clarified that the map was part of a historical exhibition and the earlier Bengal Sultanate, not any current political movement.

"The Government of Bangladesh fact-checker platform, ‘BanglaFact’, claimed that there is no evidence of ‘Saltanat-e-Bangla’ operating in Bangladesh. It further clarified that the ‘map’ was displayed at a historical exhibition in reference to the so-called earlier Bengal Sultanate," the MEA’s statement added.

The exhibition organisers have also denied any connection with foreign political groups.

Congress MP Surjewala had asked the government whether it had raised the issue diplomatically with Bangladesh and whether there was any axis, especially considering possible involvement from Turkey and Pakistan.

Responding to this, Jaishankar said, “The government is closely monitoring developments that have implications for India’s national security and continues to take all necessary measures to safeguard it.”


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