An Indian diplomat lodged a strong objection after an incorrect map of India was displayed during a policy seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The map reportedly depicted Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, prompting an immediate intervention from Pooja Kumari Jha, Second Secretary at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, who stated that the depiction was factually incorrect and reaffirmed India’s official position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
The incident occurred during a seminar titled “Rebuilding Trust, Renewing Regional Integration: Pathways for Revitalising SAARC” at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). The presentation was being delivered by former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Ahmed Tariq Karim when the map appeared on screen. Jha interrupted the presentation to point out the error and requested that the incorrect depiction be acknowledged.
Responding to the objection, Ahmed Tariq Karim said the map had been used only for representational purposes and was not intended to depict actual international boundaries. Pooja Kumari Jha acknowledged the clarification but reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir had been misrepresented and that India considers the region an inseparable part of its sovereign territory. Karim accepted the objection before continuing with his presentation.
The episode reflects India’s consistent practice of objecting to any map or representation that differs from its official territorial boundaries. New Delhi has repeatedly raised similar concerns at international forums whenever maps portray Jammu and Kashmir in a manner inconsistent with India’s official position.
The incident also comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are working to maintain dialogue on regional cooperation through platforms such as SAARC and BIMSTEC, even as sensitive issues related to territorial representation continue to attract diplomatic attention. Observers believe the prompt intervention by the Indian diplomat underscores New Delhi’s emphasis on safeguarding its official position on matters relating to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
