Jaishankar Visits Dhaka for Khaleda Zia’s Funeral, Conveys PM Modi’s Condolences to BNP’s Tarique Rahman

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia and to convey India’s condolences. Shortly after his arrival, Jaishankar met Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said he handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman. “Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India,” he wrote.

Khaleda Zia, 80, passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. Funeral prayers were held on Wednesday near Bangladesh’s national parliament complex in Dhaka, drawing large crowds from the capital and other parts of the country. From early morning, mourners gathered along Manik Mia Avenue to pay their last respects.

Zia’s coffin, draped in the national flag of Bangladesh, was transported from the hospital to her residence and later to the prayer venue under heavy security, accompanied by party workers and supporters.

Leaders across the world, including Prime Minister Modi and former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina—Zia’s long-time political rival—expressed grief over her passing and acknowledged her contributions to Bangladesh. Modi paid tribute to Zia as the country’s first woman prime minister, noting her role in Bangladesh’s development and in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. He also recalled his “warm meeting” with her in Dhaka in 2015.

Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, with state honours at around 3:30 pm. Following her death, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced three days of national mourning and a one-day general holiday.