Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a condolence letter to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairperson Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, recalling the role played by his mother and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. The letter was handed over by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his meeting with Rahman in Dhaka on the day of Zia’s funeral.
In the letter, Modi fondly recalled his meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in June 2015, describing her as a leader of “rare resolve and conviction” and noting her distinction as Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister.
“She made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh and to the strengthening of India-Bangladesh ties,” Modi wrote, paying tribute to her political legacy.
Expressing his condolences, the Prime Minister said Khaleda Zia’s passing had left an irreplaceable void in Bangladesh’s public life but added that her vision and ideals would continue to guide the nation in the years ahead.
“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 help nurture the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh,” the letter said.
Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was laid to rest with state honours in Dhaka on Wednesday. Thousands of mourners and several dignitaries, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, attended the funeral ceremony.
The 80-year-old BNP stalwart was buried beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, which houses the country’s parliament complex.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s son and acting BNP chief, who is widely seen as a key political figure in Bangladesh’s future leadership.