India to Be Represented by Jaishankar at Khaleda Zia’s Funeral in Dhaka

In Shorts

• India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka.
• Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died at 80 after prolonged illness.
• The funeral is scheduled after Zuhr prayers, with full state honours in Bangladesh.

India has announced that External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on December 31, 2025 to attend the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister of Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the solemn event, underscoring the significance of the diplomatic gesture.

Khaleda Zia, who led Bangladesh as its first woman prime minister and headed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, died at the age of 80 early on Tuesday. She had been undergoing treatment for a series of health issues at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and passed away shortly after the Fajr prayer, according to her party’s announcement.

The funeral procession will take place after Zuhr prayers at a central location in Dhaka, and Zia is expected to be buried with full state honours next to her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. The interim government has announced a period of official mourning, reflecting her long and impactful public life. Dignitaries from several countries, including Pakistan and the Maldives, are also expected to attend, demonstrating regional recognition of her political stature.

India’s decision to send its top diplomat for the ceremony has drawn reactions from officials and the public, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing deep sorrow over her passing and offering condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh. This move is seen as a continuing symbol of respect for bilateral ties and mutual history between the neighbouring nations.

The former Bangladeshi leader’s death marks a significant moment in South Asian politics, closing a chapter on one of the region’s most influential and polarizing political figures. Zia’s leadership spanned decades and shaped the political discourse in Bangladesh, with her legacy continuing to evoke discussion and reflection across the subcontinent.