Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has presented a controversial artwork, ‘Art of Triumph,’ to a visiting Turkish parliamentary delegation, a move that has raised alarms among regional security analysts. This follows a similar presentation made to a Pakistani military official. According to intelligence sources, the artwork is believed to contain more than just artistic merit; it allegedly includes ‘battle plans’ and ‘post-victory management frameworks’ that position India’s Assam state as a region to be integrated under Dhaka’s influence.
The same visual representation, outlining a ‘Greater Bangladesh’ vision that extends to India’s northeastern territories, with a specific emphasis on Assam, was previously shared with Malaysian politician Nurul Izzah Anwar and representatives of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. These presentations are seen as intentional signals aimed at specific transnational Islamist groups who view Bangladesh’s interim administration as a facilitator of a wider strategic consolidation.
The timing of these presentations is significant, correlating with Turkey’s intensified diplomatic and military outreach across South and Southeast Asia. Ankara has been actively cultivating influence through defense partnerships, drone technology acquisition, and ideological alignment. Relations between Turkey and Bangladesh have seen a marked increase in cooperation since early 2024, encompassing training initiatives, defense industry collaborations, and technological investments. Turkey views Bangladesh as a strategic asset to balance India’s regional influence, while Dhaka’s interim government benefits from enhanced international standing and defense capabilities.
Analysts are calling the ‘Greater Bangladesh’ concept a significant territorial ambition signaled by Dhaka’s interim administration, potentially designed to provoke regional reactions and galvanize support from Islamist factions domestically and internationally. Indian security agencies are reportedly monitoring these events closely, considering the narrative a potential escalation that could exacerbate existing border sensitivities.
