Indian diplomat objects to map showing Kashmir as part of Pakistan at Dhaka seminar
A diplomatic incident occurred at a seminar in Dhaka on Monday when an Indian diplomat objected to a map depicting Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan. The map was displayed during a presentation by former Bangladeshi ambassador Tariq A Karim at an event organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
Pooja Kumari Jha, second secretary (political & information) at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, who was in the audience, immediately raised the objection. She stated, 'The map of India depicted here is incorrect. J&K is an integral and inalienable part of India, and I think the map presented here is not correct.'
In response, Karim said the map was used 'for representational purposes and did not project actual boundaries.' He did not elaborate further on the nature of the representation.
India has consistently maintained that the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India in 1947 and is an integral part of the country. Pakistan disputes this claim and administers a portion of the territory, which it calls Azad Kashmir. Both countries claim the region in full, and the status of Kashmir remains a longstanding issue between them.
The seminar was a routine academic event, but the incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding territorial depictions in the region. No further actions have been reported from either side following the exchange.
