India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday handed over a personal letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, expressing condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The letter read as follows:
“Dear Tarique Rahman Saheb,
“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.
“I warmly recall my meeting and discussions with Begum Sahiba in Dhaka in June 2015. She was a leader of rare resolve and conviction, and had the distinction of being the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh, as well as to the strengthening of India-Bangladesh relations.
“While her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure. 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.
“At this moment of national mourning, my thoughts are also 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.
“Please accept my heartfelt condolences once again. I pray to the Almighty to grant you and your family the strength and fortitude to overcome this difficult time. I also extend my best wishes to you in your future endeavours.”
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar reached Dhaka at around 11:30am on a special Indian Air Force flight to pay last respects to Khaleda Zia. He was received at Bashar Air Base by M Farhad Hossain, a secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khaleda Zia died at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was buried next to her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, after her janaza on 31 December 2025.
