Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar is to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to attend the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
“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,” the Indian high commission in Dhaka said in a statement this evening.
Begum Zia’s Janaza would be held after Zohr prayers while the high commission statement said Jaishankar would accordingly visit Dhaka on December 31.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the morning expressed deep sorrow at Begum Zia’s demise, recalling her contributions to Bangladesh and bilateral relations.
“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,” he said.
The Indian premier recalled her political legacy saying “as the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered”.
“I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership,” Modi said.
