EAM Jaishankar Visits Dhaka for Khaleda Zia’s Funeral, Delivers PM Modi’s Letter to Her Son

Dhaka- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and conveyed India’s condolences to her family on behalf of the government and people of India.

Upon his arrival, the External Affairs Minister met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar said he conveyed India’s deepest condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed confidence that her vision and values would continue to guide the development of India–Bangladesh relations.

Jaishankar also acknowledged Khaleda Zia’s contribution to democracy in Bangladesh and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties in the context of a democratic transition following the country’s upcoming elections.

Sharing photographs from the meeting, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said that the External Affairs Minister, while in Dhaka, conveyed condolences from the people and government of India as Bangladesh mourned the loss of its former Prime Minister. He added that Jaishankar recognised her role in strengthening democracy and reiterated optimism about deepening India–Bangladesh relations after the democratic process scheduled for February 2026.

The External Affairs Minister is representing India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, who was Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed deep sorrow over her demise, describing her as a historic leader whose contributions to Bangladesh and to India–Bangladesh relations would always be remembered.

Meanwhile, thousands of people from across Bangladesh have been gathering since early morning at Manik Mia Avenue near the Parliament Complex in Dhaka to pay their last respects. According to local media reports, 27 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at key locations in the capital to ensure tight security.

Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and long-serving chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

She had been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23 following serious heart and lung complications. Reports indicated that she was also suffering from pneumonia in her final days and remained under close medical supervision for 36 days, with doctors describing her condition as fragile.

According to local media, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

With inputs from IANS