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.
Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka 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.
On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman @trahmanbnp, Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia.
Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi.
Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and… pic.twitter.com/xXNwJsRTmZ
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 31, 2025
Following his arrival, the Indian foreign minister met Tarique Rahman at the National Parliament complex, where he conveyed deep sympathy on behalf of the Indian government and people and delivered Prime Minister Modi’s personal letter of condolence.
Sources said India also expressed the view that Khaleda Zia’s ideals and values would continue to guide bilateral relations between the two countries in the future.
The meeting was also attended by Law Adviser r Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq meets Tarique Rahman . Photo: BNP Media Cell/Facebook post
Meanwhile, a Pakistani delegation also visited Dhaka to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met Tarique Rahman at the National Parliament complex and handed over a condolence message from the Pakistani government.
The meeting was followed by an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in the capital earlier in the day to attend the funeral.
Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister of Bangladesh, died at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
