Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday to sign the condolence book in memory of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson, Khaleda Zia, who passed away earlier this week.
During his visit, Singh expressed deep sorrow over the death of the former leader, sending his condolences to her family and people of Bangladesh.
In a post on X, Singh wrote: “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 Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh.”
Singh’s visit follows the attendance of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka on Wednesday. Jaishankar also delivered a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP Acting Chairperson, Tarique Zia.
Several other foreign dignitaries attended the funeral, including Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly; Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D N Dhungyel; Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma; Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath; and Maldives’ Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed.
On the eve of the funeral, Jaishankar held a 20-minute meeting with Tarique Zia at the Jatiya Sangsad complex. Tarique Zia also met with other regional leaders, including Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, D N Dhungyel, Bala Nanda Sharma, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain described the attendance of regional leaders at the funeral as a positive gesture. “Khaleda Zia had a positive image across the region and was widely respected,” he stated.
Hossain further emphasised that the visit from Jaishankar and other dignitaries should not be viewed through the lens of inter-state politics but rather as a reflection of the high regard for Khaleda Zia across South Asia.
Regarding the visit, Hossain remarked, “I think it is a positive gesture from everyone. The Indian foreign minister came to Dhaka on a brief visit, but he attended all the programmes and then departed.
”Hossain also confirmed there was no opportunity for a one-on-one meeting with Jaishankar, as discussions took place in the presence of other foreign guests. When asked if the visit would ease tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi, Hossain replied, “The answer to that will be known in the future.”
