Rajnath Singh honours Khaleda Zia’s role in bolstering Delhi-Dhaka ties in condolence book

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (January 1) paid tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, remembering her significant contributions to strengthening India-Bangladesh relations.

Rajnath Singh signed the condolence book at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, offering his heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the Government and people of India. In the book, he wrote that Khaleda Zia’s efforts to bolster bilateral ties will always be remembered.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, received Rajnath Singh at the High Commission. This marks the second time the Defence Minister has visited the Bangladesh mission in Delhi; he had previously attended the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day event in November 2021 as chief guest, an unusual diplomatic gesture at the time that reflected close ties between the two governments.

Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her funeral and burial were held Wednesday, with thousands attending across party lines. She was laid to rest beside her late husband, former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan.

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday afternoon, delivering an official message of condolences from the Indian government. Jaishankar had arrived in Dhaka earlier that day on a special Indian Air Force flight.