Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman, following the death of his mother and former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, praising her role in strengthening ties between India and Bangladesh. The letter was delivered by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his meeting with Rahman in Dhaka on the day of Zia’s funeral. In his message, Modi recalled his personal interaction with Khaleda Zia during his visit to Dhaka in 2015 and described her as a leader of remarkable determination and conviction, who also held the distinction of being Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister. He noted that her contributions had played an important role in both Bangladesh’s development and the deepening of bilateral relations with India.
Expressing sorrow over her passing, Modi wrote that Khaleda Zia’s death had created an irreplaceable void in the country’s political life. At the same time, he said her vision and ideals would continue to inspire future generations. He expressed confidence that her legacy would be carried forward under the leadership of her son, Tarique Rahman, and that this continuity would help strengthen the historic and close partnership between India and Bangladesh. Modi added that her values would remain a guiding force in shaping a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Khaleda Zia, who served as Bangladesh’s prime minister three times, was laid to rest with full state honours in Dhaka on Wednesday. The funeral was attended by thousands of people, including senior political leaders and dignitaries, among them External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The former prime minister was buried beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the area that also houses Bangladesh’s parliament.
Ahead of the funeral, Jaishankar met Tarique Rahman, who is widely seen as the next political leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a potential future prime minister. The meeting underscored India’s acknowledgement of Khaleda Zia’s legacy and its expectation that her contributions to bilateral ties would continue through the next generation of leadership.
