Rashid Haider

A new political controversy has erupted between Bangladesh and India after Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma, the titular Maharaja of India’s Tripura state and chairman of the Tipra Motha Party, published a map of a proposed “Greater Tripura Land” claiming large swathes of Bangladeshi territory. The map, posted on Deb Barma’s verified Facebook page on Tuesday (November 11), delineates a proposed “Greater Tripura” encompassing 11 districts from Bangladesh’s Chattogram Division.

The proposed expansion would effectively merge these regions with India’s northeastern state of Tripura, presenting a direct territorial overlap with Bangladesh’s sovereign territory.

Explosive Allegations Accompany the Claim

Alongside the controversial map, Deb Barma alleged in his Facebook post that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had been recruiting “disaffected youth” in India following recent explosions in Delhi. He further claimed, without offering evidence, that “Pakistani generals and brigadiers are present in Chattogram and Dhaka”.

In another startling statement, Deb Barma claimed that “some tribal populations” from Bangladesh’s Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) had reached out to him, urging him to “occupy Chattogram” in order to help establish the so-called Greater Tripura. He went further to boast that, if granted permission by the Indian government, he had the capability to “capture the Chattogram port in two minutes.”

These remarks, laden with cross-border political implications, have stirred sharp reactions across social and diplomatic circles in Dhaka, though neither government has yet issued an official response.

No Official Reaction Yet

As of Wednesday afternoon, neither the Government of Bangladesh nor the Government of India had made any formal statement regarding Deb Barma’s comments or the posted map. However, sources in Bangladesh’s foreign policy community have expressed concern that such comments could further strain the ongoing cold bilateral relations between the two South Asian neighbours. A senior South Asian analyst based in Dhaka told the media, “This is not merely a territorial statement—it is a psychological provocation that touches on Bangladesh’s sovereignty and national identity. Even if unofficial, such narratives can poison the atmosphere of trust between two friendly nations.”

Political Context and Historical Undertones

The “Greater Tripura” concept is not entirely new. Deb Barma, who has royal lineage and considerable influence among the tribal Tripuri population, has been advocating an expanded cultural and historical vision of Tripura for several months. He argues that Tripura’s ancient kingdom once extended deep into what is now Bangladesh and that his proposal reflects “historical truth” rather than territorial ambition.

Nonetheless, political observers see the move as a dangerous blend of historical nostalgia and nationalist sentiment that risks inflaming cross-border sensitivities. Analyst Subir Bhaumik, a veteran journalist on northeastern affairs, previously noted that “identity-based regional politics” in the northeast often drifts into irredentist language, which can unsettle neighbouring states and complicate India’s diplomacy in the Bay of Bengal region.

Psychological Conflict in Bilateral Relations

However, the emergence of such arrogant notions of India-Bangladesh partnership in trade, energy and anti-terrorism cooperation has introduced a level of psychological distrust into the public discourse. Experts warn that statements like Deb Barma’s could stoke nationalist suspicions among Bangladeshi citizens, further undermining New Delhi’s already low-key image as a regional partner.

A Bangladeshi foreign affairs analyst summarised the sentiment bluntly: “Even if the Indian government distances itself from this claim, the damage is psychological. It reinforces a perception that some Indian circles still see Bangladesh through a lens of territorial or cultural dominance.”

A Diplomatic Test Ahead

Although Deb Barma’s remarks carry no official status, their timing—amid ongoing border issues and internal instability in parts of India’s northeast—poses a diplomatic challenge for both governments. Observers expect Dhaka to seek clarification from New Delhi while maintaining restraint to avoid amplifying the controversy.

For India, analysts say the government will likely move quickly to reaffirm its respect for Bangladesh’s territorial integrity, distancing itself from fringe nationalist narratives. Until such reassurance comes, however, the “Greater Tripura” debate risks evolving into a test of diplomatic sensitivity and mutual confidence in one of South Asia’s most strategically important relationships.

____________________________

The writer is a political analyst