Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt condolences following the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away in Dhaka on December 31 at the age of 80. Modi conveyed his message in a letter addressed to her son, Tarique Rahman, the acting chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who recently returned to the country after 17 years of self-imposed exile.
According to news agency ANI, Modi wrote that his thoughts were with the people of Bangladesh, saying that while Khaleda Zia’s passing has left an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy would continue to endure.
The letter was handed over to Tarique Rahman by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who visited Bangladesh on Wednesday to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral.
‘Leader of rare resolve and conviction’
In his message, Modi described Khaleda Zia as a leader of “rare resolve and conviction.” He wrote, “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of your mother, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on this profound personal loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”
Modi recalled his first meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and noted her significant contributions to Bangladesh’s development, as well as her role in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations.
“While her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure,” the letter read. “I am confident that her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh.”
He also expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during the period of national mourning. “My thoughts are with the people of Bangladesh, who have shown remarkable strength and dignity throughout their history. I am confident that they will continue to be guided by their shared values, democratic traditions, and a deep sense of national unity, as they move forward in peace and harmony,” Modi said.
Concluding the letter, the prime minister offered his prayers for Rahman and his family, wishing them strength and fortitude to overcome the loss and extending his best wishes for Rahman’s future endeavours.
Jaishankar attends funeral in Dhaka
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on a special flight on Wednesday morning and was received by the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He met Tarique Rahman to personally convey India’s condolences.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman (@trahmanbnp), Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia.”
He also expressed confidence that Khaleda Zia’s vision and values would continue to shape bilateral relations. “Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” he added.
Jaishankar’s visit comes amid strained ties between India and Bangladesh, following the killing of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh, after India raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
As he concluded his visit, Jaishankar said on X that he looked forward to scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties, driven by shared interests, pragmatism, and mutual interdependence—an outlook he said he briefly discussed with Rahman.
