India has "strongly protested" the Facebook post of Adviser Mahfuj Alam, which showed a map of undivided Bengal, referencing regions that are part of India today, including West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Manipur.
"We have taken this up with the Bangladeshi government. We have actually strongly registered our protest on this issue. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly press conference in New Delhi on Friday.
He emphasised that India had reminded all concerned parties to exercise caution when making public comments.
"While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation," said Randhir.
"I once again repeat, we strongly protested against this with the Bangladesh government."
On Dec 16, Mahfuj posted a map on Facebook that included Bangladesh alongside Indian states, referring to them as part of an undivided Bengal.
The post referred to the present-day territory of Bangladesh, which resulted from the partition of Bengal in 1947, as "fragmented", and called for "new territories and arrangements".
However, within hours, the post was deleted, and no further comments have been made by Mahfuj or the interim government regarding the matter.
In response to a question about Bangladesh, the spokesperson referred to the recent visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka.
"We have very clearly defined our approach towards our ties with Bangladesh. We have said that we support a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," Randhir said.
"We have reiterated our willingness to build up a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests." —bdnews24.com
