EAM S. Jaishankar To Attend Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia’s Funeral In Dhaka

The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will travel to Bangladesh to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khaleda Zia on 31st December.

The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will travel to Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khaleda Zia on 31st December.

Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday announced EAM S. Jaishankar’s Dhaka visit to Dhaka, scheduled for 31st December, 2025. EAM will be representing the Government of India in Bangladesh’s first Female PM’s funeral.

The press release by MEA read, “The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He will accordingly visit Dhaka on 31 December 2025.”

BNP announced former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Begum Khaleda Zia’s death in a press statement. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away early morning on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment, at around 6 am local time, shortly after the Fajr prayer. She was aged 80.

Leaders from across the world condoled Khaleda Zia’s death, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss.”, wrote PM, Modi on his X handle.

Interim Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushila Karki, termed her death as deeply saddening and extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal to her family and the people of Bangladesh.

Ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Awami League Chairperson Sheikh Hasina also expressed her condolences on the passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh Awami League on their X handle wrote, “Sheikh Hasina expresses condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered. Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.”

Khaleda Zia's death comes amid Bangladesh's political turmoil, with elections looming and her son, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, returning after 17 years in exile, potentially reshaping the political landscape of Bangladesh.