EAM attends Khaleda Zia's funeral; hands PM Modi’s letter to son Tarique

NEW DELHI: External affairs curate S Jaishankar connected Wednesday handed implicit a idiosyncratic missive from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting president Tarique Rahman during a gathering successful Dhaka, arsenic helium conveyed India’s deepest condolences connected the decease of erstwhile premier curate and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The gathering took spot soon aft Jaishankar arrived successful the Bangladeshi superior to correspond India astatine the ceremonial of the seasoned leader.In a station connected X, Jaishankar said helium met Tarique Rahman, the eldest lad of Khaleda Zia, soon aft landing successful Dhaka and handed implicit a idiosyncratic missive from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Handed implicit to him a idiosyncratic missive from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences connected behalf of the Government and radical of India,” helium wrote, arsenic per ANI.

Jaishankar besides underlined Khaleda Zia’s semipermanent power connected ties betwixt the 2 countries. “Expressed assurance that Begum Khaleda Zia’s imaginativeness and values volition usher the improvement of our partnership,” helium added successful the aforesaid post.Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said Jaishankar conveyed the condolences of the Indian radical and authorities arsenic Bangladesh mourns the nonaccomplishment of the erstwhile premier minister.

In a station connected X, Hamidullah said Jaishankar recognised Khaleda Zia’s publication to ideology and expressed optimism astir strengthening bilateral relations pursuing Bangladesh’s antiauthoritarian transition, with nationalist elections scheduled for February 2026.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s archetypal pistillate premier minister, died connected Tuesday astatine the property of 80 aft a prolonged illness. A ascendant fig successful Bangladeshi authorities for decades, she served 3 presumption arsenic premier curate and played a cardinal relation successful restoring ideology aft years of subject rule.Her assemblage was earlier brought to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, wherever household members and adjacent relatives gathered to wage their past respects up of the ceremonial prayers. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was contiguous astatine the residence, seated softly with a supplication publication successful his hands, according to ANI.The Namaz-e-Janaza for the erstwhile premier curate is scheduled to beryllium held astatine 2 p.m. (local time) astatine Manik Mia Avenue, successful the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and different elder dignitaries are expected to attend. Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia volition beryllium laid to remainder beside her husband, erstwhile president Ziaur Rahman, astatine his mausoleum successful Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.India has confirmed authoritative information successful the past rites. According to PTI, Jaishankar is representing the authorities and radical of India astatine the funeral.Senior representatives from respective South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are besides expected to attend.Bangladesh has declared a nationalist vacation and a three-day play of authorities mourning. Security has been tightened for the funeral, with much than 10,000 constabulary and Armed Police Battalion unit deployed, and vehicular question restricted on cardinal routes, arsenic per ANI.Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier expressed heavy sorrow implicit Khaleda Zia’s death, recalling his gathering with her successful Dhaka successful 2015 and extending condolences to her household and the radical of Bangladesh, reported PTI. Tributes person besides poured successful from leaders and organisations crossed the world, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring governmental legacy.