The map of India was shown incorrectly during a program in Bangladesh. India objected to this. The diplomat of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka clearly said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. A seminar was organized in an institute called BIISS in Dhaka. The theme of this seminar was “Restoring Trust and Reshaping Regional Integration: Pathways to Revitalizing SAARC”. Ahmed Tariq Karim, former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, presented in this program. Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obed was also present as the chief guest.
When Pooja Jha saw that the map showed Jammu and Kashmir as a part of Pakistan, she interrupted the presentation and said that this was factually incorrect. The Second Secretary said, “The map of India shown here is wrong. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and I feel that the map shown here is not correct.”
‘Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India’
After objections were raised, Ambassador Karim tried to clarify that the map was used only for symbolic purposes and was not about the actual boundaries. Pooja Jha replied, ‘I understand sir, but Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it has been shown wrongly here. So I just wanted to draw attention to this.”
When asked whether the diplomat was from India, Jha gave his full introduction. After this, Ambassador Karim seemed to agree with him. He said, “The matter has been noted,” and continued his presentation.
Bangladeshi minister advocates deeper regional cooperation
Speaking at the seminar, Bangladeshi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obed stressed the importance of deeper regional cooperation in South Asia and called for bridging the gap between capacity and performance. He mentioned the steps needed to strengthen the organization again and said, “The organization needs better efficiency, greater financial strength, more effective and unique methods and a practical culture of taking the work forward.”
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