China objects to map of Arunachal Pradesh in Bangladesh textbooks

New Delhi: China has raised objections to the Asia map depicted in two Bangladeshi textbooks and on the website of Bangladesh Department of Survey, alleging that Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin have been "incorrectly depicted as parts of India."

China sent a letter to Bangladesh's interim regime in November last, requesting "corrections" to the maps and information in the textbooks and on the website, ET has learnt.

Bangladesh, however, declined to act in a hurry and sought time to review the request.


China relented after Dhaka assured it that a resolution would be sought in due course, it is learnt.

This is the first time that China has made such a request to any country in India's neighbourhood in recent years.

Its letter further said that in addition to this "factual discrepancy," both the textbooks and the survey department's website have incorrectly portrayed Hong Kong and Taiwan as separate countries instead of recognising them as part of China.

According to Beijing, the map of Asia in fourth grade madrasa textbook 'Bangladesh and World Studies', "misrepresents the borders between China and India, particularly regarding Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin," ET has learnt.

Similarly, in the Bangladesh and World Studies textbook for the ninth and tenth grades, Hong Kong and Taiwan are shown as independent countries in the list of Bangladesh's export destinations, Beijing complained.

Following China's objection, Bangladesh's foreign affairs ministry consulted with the education ministry and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).