• Source:JND

Khaleda Zia's Funeral: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, handed a personal letter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to her son Tarique Rahman.

Two-time prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for a long time, Zia died in Dhaka on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

Jaishankar was received at the airport by Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, spokesperson of the Indian mission in Dhaka confirmed to the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). 

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The funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held at Manik Mia Avenue with foreign dignitaries, political leaders, and representatives from various countries expected to attend. Following the funeral, Khaleda will be laid to rest with state honours at around 3:30pm beside her husband, slain president and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman.

Jaishankar will represent the government and people of India at the funeral, for which he will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday, an official statement said.

PM Modi's hails Khaleda's vision in boosting India-Bangladesh ties

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi condoled the death Zia while hailing her contribution in deepening India-Bangladesh ties. "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," read the post of Prime Minister Modi.

"As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership," PM Modi added in a lengthy post, signalling India's ties reset with Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

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Why India's gesture is crucial amid India-Bangladesh tensions

1. Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024 and the rise of the interim administration under Muhammad Yunus.

2. Key issues include concerns over minority safety (particularly Hindus), border incidents, extradition requests for Hasina, and perceptions of Bangladesh tilting toward China and Pakistan.

3. Khaleda Zia led the opposition BNP, historically less aligned with India than Hasina's Awami League.

4. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who recently returned from exile and is the BNP acting chairman, is poised to lead the party into the upcoming elections.

5. Jaishankar's high-level attendance at the funeral and personal delivery of PM Modi's letter signal India's intent to engage the BNP directly.

6. This outreach aims to rebuild ties, diversify beyond the Awami League, and ensure stable bilateral relations post-elections, especially given Zia's past contributions to India-Bangladesh relations noted by pm Modi. It represents a pragmatic diplomatic move to navigate the current uncertainties.

(With inputs from agencies)


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