Foreign political leaders expressed solidarity with BNP and the family of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia as they paid their final respects, conveying condolences to her bereaved family and the people of Bangladesh. Their presence also signalled outreach to Bangladesh’s possible future leadership.
Among the dignitaries present were Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel; Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma; Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed.
Their participation in the funeral was widely seen as a mark of deep respect and a reaffirmation of longstanding diplomatic ties and friendship between Bangladesh and its neighbours.
In a Facebook post, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said that upon his arrival, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, son of the late prime minister.
Jaishankar handed over a personal condolence letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed “the deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India,” expressing confidence that Khaleda Zia’s “vision and values will continue to guide the development of the partnership” between the two countries.
In a separate Facebook post, the Pakistan High Commission said Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the president, prime minister, Field Marshal and the people of Pakistan.
He also handed over a condolence letter from the prime minister, recalling Khaleda Zia’s “remarkable political leadership” and her role in strengthening historical affinities, mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.
The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser’s Office said Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma paid courtesy calls on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Meanwhile, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman met visiting dignitaries, including S Jaishankar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Bala Nanda Sharma and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
In a separate gesture of condolence, the Union Flag flew at half-mast at the British High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday in mourning for the former prime minister. “Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh,” the mission said.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning. She was laid to rest with full state honours beside her late husband, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the capital later in the afternoon.
