India has strongly protested against the Facebook post of Adviser Mahfuj Alam, also an aide to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

The social media post taken down within hours of posting it on December 16, stated that Bangladesh would not be able to overcome its challenges in the current location and advocated for an expanded geographic existence comprising parts of several Indian provinces on India's eastern flank.

Responding to a question yesterday (December 20), Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said India had taken this up with the Bangladesh government. "We have actually strongly registered our protest on this issue. We understand that the post you referred has been taken down."

Jaiswal said, "We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments."

He said while India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with people and interim government of Bangladesh "such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation".