Dhaka, Dec 31 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar touched down in Dhaka on Wednesday to express the Indian government's heartfelt condolences to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman regarding the loss of his mother, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia.

In a message shared on X, the EAM noted that he met with Tarique Rahman upon his arrival and presented a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I conveyed our deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. I expressed my hope that Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values will continue to influence the growth of our partnership," he stated.

EAM Jaishankar recognized Zia's significant role in promoting democracy and expressed optimism about enhancing India-Bangladesh relations following the expected democratic transition after the upcoming elections.

Sharing images from the meeting with Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, posted on X, stating, "HE Dr S Jaishankar Hon. External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences from the people and Government of India as Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He acknowledged her contributions to democracy and expressed hope to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties during the democratic transition through the upcoming election (Feb 2026)."

EAM Jaishankar is in Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, the first woman to hold the Prime Minister's office in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi also expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Bangladesh's former PM and BNP chairperson, recalling her as a historic leader whose contributions to both Bangladesh and India will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, thousands have been gathering from across the nation at Manik Mia Avenue near the Parliament Complex since early morning to pay their final tributes.

Local media reports indicated that 27 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at key locations in Dhaka to ensure stringent security measures.

Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and long-serving chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early Tuesday morning following a long illness. She was 80 years old.

Having been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23 due to severe heart and lung complications, she was also contending with pneumonia in her final days. Doctors had described her condition as delicate during her 36-day hospitalization.

Zia will be interred next to her husband, the former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, as reported by local media.