EAM Jaishankar to Attend Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia’s Funeral in Dhaka

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

“The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will represent the Government and the people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He will accordingly visit Dhaka on 31 December 2025,” the ministry said in a statement.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a towering figure in the country’s politics, passed away early Tuesday at the age of 80. According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) on Facebook, she died around 6 am local time, shortly after the Fajr prayer.

“She passed away peacefully. We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and request everyone to pray for her departed soul,” the party said.

Khaleda Zia had been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23 after developing a lung infection, ANI reported. She had been battling multiple health issues for years, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney-related complications. Earlier this month, she was flown to London for advanced medical treatment.

Condolences poured in from leaders across the world following her death, with many recalling her role in shaping Bangladesh’s political journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of her passing.

“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss,” Modi said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister also recalled his meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and highlighted her contributions to Bangladesh’s development and to India-Bangladesh relations. “We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace,” he added.