Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, calling her passing a moment of deep grief for Bangladesh and the region.
In a post on X, PM Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by Khaleda Zia’s demise and extended his condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, praying for strength for them to bear the loss.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. 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,” the Prime Minister said.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away in the early hours of Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80. According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Facebook, she died at around 6 am local time, shortly after the Fajr prayer.
“Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer,” the BNP said, adding, “We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul.”
Zia had been admitted to the Dhaka hospital on November 23 after developing a lung infection. She had been battling multiple health issues for years, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney-related complications. Earlier this month, she was taken to London for advanced medical care. On Tuesday morning, large crowds gathered outside the hospital as her son and BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, arrived to pay his respects.
Reflecting on her political legacy, PM Modi noted that Khaleda Zia, as Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s development and strengthening ties with India.
“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. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Khaleda Zia’s death marks the end of a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s political history, with leaders and citizens across the country mourning a figure who dominated its public life for decades.
