An Indian diplomat protested a map at a foreign affairs seminar in Dhaka on Monday that depicted Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan [1].

The incident highlights the sensitivity of territorial disputes in South Asia and the role of diplomatic protocols in maintaining bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

Pooja Kumari Jha, Second Secretary at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, raised the objection during the seminar [1]. She said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India [1]. The protest followed the discovery of the erroneous map during the event, prompting Jha to reaffirm India's official territorial stance [2].

India frequently monitors international forums and events for the accurate depiction of its borders. This diplomatic response mirrors previous assertions made by the Indian government on the global stage. For example, India reiterated its position regarding the region during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council [3].

Furthermore, New Delhi has used other high-level platforms to maintain this position, including a statement delivered at the UN General Assembly on June 6, 2024 [4]. The consistency of these claims underscores India's policy of zero tolerance for maps that deviate from its official boundaries, regardless of the venue.

Representatives from the seminar in Dhaka were reminded of India's sovereign claims following Jha's intervention [1]. The Indian High Commission continues to emphasize that any depiction of the region as part of another nation is factually incorrect and unacceptable [2].

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India”

This diplomatic friction underscores the volatility of the Kashmir issue, where even a clerical or graphic error at a third-party seminar can trigger a formal protest. By reacting swiftly in Dhaka, India signals to its neighbors that territorial integrity is a non-negotiable priority in its bilateral engagements.