Khaleda Zia funeral: EAM Jaishankar meets BNP’s Tarique Rahman in Dhaka; hands PM Modi’s condolence letter | India News

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman during a meeting in Dhaka, as he conveyed India’s deepest condolences on the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The meeting took place shortly after Jaishankar arrived in the Bangladeshi capital to represent India at the funeral of the veteran leader.In a post on X, Jaishankar said he met Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Khaleda Zia, soon after landing in Dhaka and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India,” he wrote, as per ANI.

Jaishankar also underlined Khaleda Zia’s long-term influence on ties between the two countries. “Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” he added in the same post.Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said Jaishankar conveyed the condolences of the Indian people and government as Bangladesh mourns the loss of the former prime minister.

In a post on X, Hamidullah said Jaishankar recognised Khaleda Zia’s contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations following Bangladesh’s democratic transition, with national elections scheduled for February 2026.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades, she served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.Her body was earlier brought to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, where family members and close relatives gathered to pay their last respects ahead of the funeral prayers. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was present at the residence, seated quietly with a prayer book in his hands, according to ANI.The Namaz-e-Janaza for the former prime minister is scheduled to be held at 2 pm (local time) at Manik Mia Avenue, in the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and other senior dignitaries are expected to attend. Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.India has confirmed official participation in the last rites. According to PTI, Jaishankar is representing the government and people of India at the funeral.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to attend.Bangladesh has declared a public holiday and a three-day period of state mourning. Security has been tightened for the funeral, with more than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel deployed, and vehicular movement restricted along key routes, as per ANI.Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death, recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015 and extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, reported PTI. Tributes have also poured in from leaders and organisations across the world, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring political legacy.