External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, conveying condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.
Soon after his arrival, Jaishankar met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and handed over a personal condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The External Affairs Minister expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s passing and acknowledged her contributions to Bangladesh’s democratic journey and India-Bangladesh relations.
In a message shared on social media, Jaishankar said he conveyed heartfelt condolences and expressed confidence that Khaleda Zia’s vision and values would continue to guide the development of bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. He also conveyed optimism about strengthening relations in the period ahead, especially in the context of Bangladesh’s upcoming democratic transition.
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, noted that Jaishankar recognised Khaleda Zia’s role in strengthening democracy and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening cooperation following the elections scheduled for February 2026.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s demise, describing her as a historic leader whose contributions to Bangladesh and bilateral relations with India would always be remembered.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister and a three-time head of government, passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She had been undergoing treatment for heart and lung-related complications and pneumonia at a private hospital in Dhaka.
Thousands of people gathered at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue to pay their final respects, with heightened security arrangements in place across the capital. Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
