Dhaka, Dec 31 (NationPress) The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had a brief encounter with Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, in Dhaka on Wednesday, just before the funeral of Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

A picture of their meeting was shared on social media by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, stating, "Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, exchanges greetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Dhaka on Wednesday ahead of the funeral program of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia," as posted on X.

Earlier that day, EAM Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, who was the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He extended the Indian government's condolences to Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia's son, on the loss of his mother.

Upon his arrival, EAM Jaishankar mentioned that he met with Tarique Rahman and delivered a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. I expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values will guide our partnership's development," he remarked.

EAM Jaishankar acknowledged Zia's significant contributions to democracy and expressed hope for enhancing India-Bangladesh relations following a democratic transition after the upcoming elections.

Sharing photos of the meeting with Tarique Rahman, Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, posted on X, stating, "HE Dr S Jaishankar, Hon. External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people and Govt of India as Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recognizing her contribution to democracy and expressing optimism to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties through the upcoming elections (Feb 2026)."

Khaleda Zia, who served as Prime Minister three times and was the long-time chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, passed away early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness at the age of 80.

She was laid to rest with full State honors on Wednesday afternoon beside her husband, the country's former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, according to local media reports.

On Tuesday, PM Modi expressed his deep sorrow regarding the demise of Bangladesh's former PM and BNP chairperson, remembering her as a historic leader whose contributions to Bangladesh and its relations with India will always be cherished.