EAM Jaishankar meets BNP’s Tarique Rahman in Dhaka; hands PM Modi’s condolence letter (Picture credit: X/@DrSJaishankar) NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman during a meeting in Dhaka, as he conveyed India’s deepest condolences on the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The meeting took place shortly after Jaishankar arrived in the Bangladeshi capital to represent India at the funeral of the veteran leader.In a post on X, Jaishankar said he met Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Khaleda Zia, soon after landing in Dhaka and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India,” he wrote, as per ANI.Jaishankar also underlined Khaleda Zia’s long-term influence on ties between the two countries. “Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” he added in the same post.Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said Jaishankar conveyed the condolences of the Indian people and government as Bangladesh mourns the loss of the former prime minister. In a post on X, Hamidullah said Jaishankar recognised Khaleda Zia’s contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations following Bangladesh’s democratic transition, with national elections scheduled for February 2026.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades, she served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.Her body was earlier brought to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, where family members and close relatives gathered to pay their last respects ahead of the funeral prayers. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was present at the residence, seated quietly with a prayer book in his hands, according to ANI.The Namaz-e-Janaza for the former prime minister is scheduled to be held at 2 pm (local time) at Manik Mia Avenue, in the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and other senior dignitaries are expected to attend. Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.India has confirmed official participation in the last rites. According to PTI, Jaishankar is representing the government and people of India at the funeral.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to attend.Bangladesh has declared a public holiday and a three-day period of state mourning. Security has been tightened for the funeral, with more than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel deployed, and vehicular movement restricted along key routes, as per ANI.Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death, recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015 and extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, reported PTI. Tributes have also poured in from leaders and organisations across the world, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring political legacy.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArmy Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans”To Build Peace That Lasts”: China Claims Credit for India-Pakistan Conflict, Follows TrumpSecurity Forces Launch Cordon-And-Search Operations In Kishtwar, Doda and PoonchJaishankar To Attend Khaleda Zia’s Funeral In Dhaka Amid Strained India-Bangladesh TiesDRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket In Odisha, To Be Inducted In Indian Army123Photostories10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a timeFrom Akshaye Khanna’s FA9LA memes to Ram Charan’s ‘Peddi’ dance and the Coldplay kiss-cam moment: How 2025 turned pop culture into a nonstop viral loopHow the right words can turn mistakes into learning momentsFrom Jamaica’s J-type diabetes to WHO’s reversal: A long-ignored form of diabetes gets official recognitionTV child actors who changed careers later: Erik Per Sullivan, Angus T. Jones, Ben Hyland, and morePM Modi’s 2025: Key moments that shaped the year – in pictures5 manifestations to do on January 1 for a wealthy and successful 2026123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy
EAM Jaishankar meets BNP’s Tarique Rahman in Dhaka; hands PM Modi’s condolence letter (Picture credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman during a meeting in Dhaka, as he conveyed India’s deepest condolences on the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The meeting took place shortly after Jaishankar arrived in the Bangladeshi capital to represent India at the funeral of the veteran leader.In a post on X, Jaishankar said he met Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Khaleda Zia, soon after landing in Dhaka and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India,” he wrote, as per ANI.Jaishankar also underlined Khaleda Zia’s long-term influence on ties between the two countries. “Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” he added in the same post.Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said Jaishankar conveyed the condolences of the Indian people and government as Bangladesh mourns the loss of the former prime minister. In a post on X, Hamidullah said Jaishankar recognised Khaleda Zia’s contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations following Bangladesh’s democratic transition, with national elections scheduled for February 2026.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades, she served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.Her body was earlier brought to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, where family members and close relatives gathered to pay their last respects ahead of the funeral prayers. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was present at the residence, seated quietly with a prayer book in his hands, according to ANI.The Namaz-e-Janaza for the former prime minister is scheduled to be held at 2 pm (local time) at Manik Mia Avenue, in the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and other senior dignitaries are expected to attend. Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.India has confirmed official participation in the last rites. According to PTI, Jaishankar is representing the government and people of India at the funeral.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to attend.Bangladesh has declared a public holiday and a three-day period of state mourning. Security has been tightened for the funeral, with more than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel deployed, and vehicular movement restricted along key routes, as per ANI.Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death, recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015 and extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, reported PTI. Tributes have also poured in from leaders and organisations across the world, reflecting Khaleda Zia’s enduring political legacy.
