South Asian officials attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral

South Asian nations sent top officials to Dhaka to attend the state funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia today, marking a moment of high-level regional engagement in Bangladesh.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka in the morning on a special flight that landed at 11:30am. He was received by the Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, BSS reported, citing a spokesperson for the Indian High Commission.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Khaleda Zia's family members at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban ahead of her janaza. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman were present at the time. Photo: BNP Media Cell

In a post on X around 3:00pm, Jaishankar said that upon arrival in Dhaka, he met Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda Zia, and handed over to him a personal letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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He said he conveyed the deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India and expressed confidence that Khaleda Zia's vision and values would guide the development of the partnership between the two countries.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also arrived in Dhaka, with his flight landing at around 11:50am. He was received at the airport by Pakistan's high commissioner to Bangladesh and senior officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to BSS.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq meets Tarique Rahman at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today. Photo: BNP Media Cell

Sadiq met Tarique at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the afternoon and formally conveyed the condolence message, according to a post shared on the BNP's verified Facebook page.

"Neighbouring country Pakistan has sent a condolence message expressing deep respect at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia -- hailed as the 'Mother of Democracy' and a 'symbol of courage and struggle,' an uncompromising leader committed to safeguarding independence and sovereignty," read the Facebook post.

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Meanwhile, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Bhutan's Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D N Dhungyel, also reached Dhaka and attended the funeral.

The namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today. The prayer began at 3:02pm.

Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a lasting political icon, Khaleda Zia died yesterday in a Dhaka hospital after a long bout of illness.