New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the funeral of the former Prime Minister and Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday and will travel to Bangladesh.
Former PM Khaleda Zia passed away after a prolonged illness on Tuesday. She was 80 years old and a dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics. Zia led the party for decades and served three times as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Khaleda Zia would be buried beside the grave of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Following her death, the Bangladesh government announced a public holiday on the day of her burial and also three days of state mourning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences over the loss of his former Bangladesh counterpart. Modi also stated that Khaleda Zia’s contribution in Bangladesh would always be remembered in India-Bangladesh relations.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and to the people of Bangladesh. May God give strength to her family in this difficult time,” Modi stated in a message.
Remembering his meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015, the Prime Minister said he hoped her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral ties. “May her soul rest in peace,” he added.
Khaleda Zia has been hospitalised since November with multiple complications, including diabetes, lung infection, heart issues, and liver cirrhosis. She died at around 6:00 am local time.
She took charge for the first time in 1996 in the Prime Minister’s office. Khaleda Zia took the helm of her party in 1984 and took the BNP to another level in Bangladesh politics.