Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi to express condolences over the death of Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Signing the condolence book, Singh conveyed deep sorrow and extended his thoughts to Khaleda Zia’s family and the people of Bangladesh.
“Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh,” the Defence Minister posted on X.
Following Singh’s visit, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said in a post on X, “Honoured to welcome HE Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Indian Defence Minister, at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as he conveyed condolences of India and paid homage to former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson (late) Khaleda Zia.”
Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He conveyed the Indian government’s condolences to the BNP Acting Chairperson, Tarique Rahman, on the passing of his mother and former Bangladesh Prime Minister.
In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said that upon arrival in Dhaka, he met Tarique Rahman and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” he added.
Jaishankar acknowledged Zia’s contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening India-Bangladesh ties following a democratic transition after the upcoming elections.
Sharing photographs of the meeting, Hamidullah posted on X, stating, “HE Dr S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveyed condolences of the people and Government of India as Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recognised her contribution to democracy, and expressed optimism to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties following a democratic transition through the upcoming election (February 2026).”
Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and long-time chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, died early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. She was 80.
She was laid to rest with full state honours on Wednesday afternoon beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, according to local media reports.
–IANS
