POBNEWS24, Dhaka Jan 1, 2026 : Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has made a significant contribution in strengthening Bangladesh’s relations with India. Her significant contribution will always be remembered.
Rajnath Singh gave this message while paying his last respects to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday.
Rajnath Singh went to the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Thursday afternoon. He went to the Bangladesh Mission and wrote this message in the condolence book kept for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He paid tribute to Khaleda Zia.
Rajnath Singh wrote, “I express my sincere condolences on behalf of the government and people of India on the death of former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia. Her significant contribution in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered.”
Earlier, when he reached the Bangladesh Mission, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Delhi M. Riaz Hamidullah welcomed him.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi twice in this regard. Earlier, he had visited the mission in Delhi as the chief guest for the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day ceremony on November 22, 2021. The ceremony was held the day after Armed Forces Day (November 21) that year.
Rajnath Singh’s visit to the Bangladesh mission in 2021 was considered an exceptional step, breaking the usual protocol. In the context of closeness with the then Awami League government, attending the Armed Forces Day ceremony was considered a special honor and a significant sign of military-diplomatic camaraderie.
Khaleda Zia died last Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital Dhaka. Her funeral and burial were held on Wednesday. Countless people attended Khaleda Zia’s funeral, regardless of party affiliation. After the funeral, Khaleda Zia was buried next to the grave of her husband, former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan.
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday. At that time, he handed over India’s condolence message to Tarique Rahman. Earlier, Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on a special Indian Air Force flight at 11:30 am.
