“We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace.”

Khaleda Zia passes away: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his deepest condolences to the family and people of Bangladesh on the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.

PM Modi, in a post on X, said he was deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of Khaleda Zia.

“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,” PM Modi added in the post.

PM Modi further stated that as the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contribution towards the development of the country, as well as India–Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered.

Recalling his meeting with Khaleda Zia in 2015 in Dhaka, PM Modi said, “We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace.”

Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away on Tuesday (30 December) at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer, BNP said in a post on its X earlier today.

Zia passed away at the age of 80 days after the return of her son (60) to the country after 17 years of self-exile in London, and ahead of the election in the country. Tarique Rahman is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and returned to the country on 25th December, 2025, after his self-exile. 

Bangladesh is going to hold its elections on February 12, the first parliamentary election since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted.

Sheikh Hasina expresses condolences:

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also expressed her deepest condolences, calling her passing away a “profound loss” for Bangladesh’s political life.

In a post on the X account of the Bangladesh Awami League party, Hasina’s statement read: “As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered. Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.”

“I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul,” the post statement further read.

Hasina also extended her sincere sympathies to Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and to the bereaved family members.

“I also extend my condolences to the wider BNP family. I hope that Almighty Allah grants them patience, strength, and comfort to endure this difficult time,” the post read.

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