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New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar will travel to Bangladesh on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.
Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest on Wednesday and will be buried beside the grave of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. A dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics, she led the BNP for decades and served as the country's prime minister three times.
Following her death, the Bangladesh government announced three days of state mourning. A public holiday has also been declared on the day of her burial.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of his former Bangladeshi counterpart, saying her contributions to Bangladesh's development and India-Bangladesh relations would always be remembered. "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 said in a message.
Recalling 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.
Addressing the nation after her death, Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said the country was passing through a period of deep grief. "I know you are all very saddened at this moment. I hope you will remain patient during this period of mourning and cooperate with all concerned in completing the funeral prayers and other formalities," he said.
Khaleda Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is witnessing internal unrest and strained ties with India. The country has recently seen widespread protests and vandalism following the killing of a youth leader. General elections are also due in February, with the nomination process currently underway.
