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development of Bangladesh’s foreign relations.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented his government at the state funeral. Ahead of the ceremony, he met BNP acting chairman and Khaleda’s son, Tarique Rahman, at the National Parliament to hand over a “personal letter of deepest condolences” from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was also present at the meeting.

“Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India,” Jaishankar shared on Facebook, adding that he was confident Khaleda’s vision would guide the Bangladesh-India partnership.

Modi, in the letter, expressed deep sorrow over the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, conveying condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh.

“I warmly recall my meeting and discussions with Begum Sahiba in Dhaka in June 2015. She was a leader of rare resolve and conviction, and had the distinction of being the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh,” he said, adding that she made many important contributions to Bangladesh’s development and to strengthening India-Bangladesh relations.

While her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, Modi noted that her vision and legacy would endure, expressing confidence that her ideals would be carried forward under Tarique Rahman’s leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. “And [it] will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh.

“At this moment of national mourning, my thoughts are also with the people of Bangladesh.”

India’s opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his condolences. In a message, he said over her long career in public life, Khaleda Zia played a significant role in Bangladesh’s political journey.

Khaleda had last visited India officially in March 2006 as prime minister. Later, as leader of the opposition, she visited India in 2012, at the invitation of the external affairs minister.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, arrived in Dhaka yesterday morning to represent his government. He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by senior officials from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry and the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.

Sadiq also held a courtesy meeting with Tarique Rahman, handing over Islamabad’s official condolence message. The message described Khaleda as an “uncompromising leader committed to safeguarding independence and sovereignty.”

Notably, Sadiq separately exchanged greetings with Jaishankar ahead of the funeral.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China mourns the passing of Khaleda Zia and extends sincere sympathies to the interim government of Bangladesh and Khaleda’s family.

“As prime minister, she made an active effort to grow the ties between our two countries and it was during her premiership that the two countries established the comprehensive partnership of cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality, and mutual benefit,” the spokesperson said on X.

Her contribution to China-Bangladesh friendship and bilateral relations will forever be remembered, it added.

Nepal Prime Minister Sushila Karki on X said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, I extend my heartfelt condolences to her [Khaleda’s] family, friends and the people of Bangladesh.”

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also expressed his deepest condolences to the government and the people of Bangladesh as the country mourns the loss of its first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia.

“At this time of immense grief, may Almighty Allah grant strength and patience to the members of her bereaved family,” he said on X.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath joined the event directly upon arriving in Dhaka.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma attended on behalf of his government, as did Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel and Maldives Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Ali Haidar Ahmed.

The visiting ministers from Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan also met Tarique and his family members at the National Parliament.

At the same venue, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman met foreign dignitaries from South Asian nations and thanked them for their attendance.

Ambassadors and high commissioners from nearly 40 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, the UK, Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia, and the European Union, attended the funeral, alongside heads of various multilateral and regional organisations.

Later in the day, Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma separately called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna.