Jaishankar to pay last respects at Khaleda Zia funeral
Jaishankar to Pay Last Respects at Khaleda Zia’s Funeral in Dhaka
In a gesture laden with emotion and quiet diplomacy, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia—an iconic figure whose life and legacy shaped the political evolution of South Asia’s youngest nation. The visit, while brief, carries deep symbolic weight, reflecting India’s enduring ties with Bangladesh even amid shifting political currents.
Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, was more than just a political leader. For millions of Bangladeshis, she embodied a generation that struggled, survived, and defined the contours of national identity after the birth of the country in 1971. She served as Prime Minister twice—first from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006—becoming the first woman to lead the nation. Her leadership saw Bangladesh through critical years of democratic revival and transformation from a fragile post-war economy into an aspiring developing nation.
Her death marks the end of an era. For decades, she stood at the center of Bangladesh’s fierce political rivalry—a duel that defined its political discourse alongside Sheikh Hasina, her long-time political opponent and the current Awami League leader. Their contest, often bitter yet deeply entwined, symbolized a duality that dominated the country’s politics for nearly four decades. In many ways, Khaleda Zia’s political life mirrored the country’s turbulent democratic journey—characterized by resilience, confrontation, and reinvention.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Jaishankar’s visit in an official statement on Tuesday evening. “External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent the government and people of India at the funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia,” it said, emphasizing that New Delhi’s condolences go beyond diplomacy—they recognize the shared history and humanity that bind the two neighbors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow, calling her passing a moment of “deep sadness for the people of Bangladesh” and extending heartfelt condolences to her family. Modi’s message struck an empathetic tone, recalling that leaders like Khaleda Zia were not just figures in political narratives but humans who bore the weight of their nations’ hopes and conflicts.
Khaleda Zia’s journey into politics began from tragedy and transformation. After the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981, she rose from relative obscurity to take up his political mantle, eventually leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In her early years, supporters affectionately referred to her as “Deshnetri”—leader of the nation—because of her courage in confronting military regimes and her insistence on returning democracy to Bangladesh. Her time in office was not without controversy, marked by political turbulence, economic challenges, and accusations of corruption, but her presence in national politics remained defining and unavoidable.
For India, her passing resonates on a deeper level. Despite often being portrayed as more skeptical of New Delhi compared to her rival Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia maintained a complex relationship with India—one that blended pragmatism with an understanding of geography, history, and necessity. During her tenure, she balanced nationalist rhetoric with cautious engagement, supporting trade and connectivity while defending Bangladesh’s sovereignty with vigor.
Jaishankar’s attendance at her funeral is thus both a mark of respect and a carefully calibrated diplomatic move. It comes at a time when relations between India and Bangladesh have entered a delicate phase following the emergence of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Since Yunus assumed charge, New Delhi has watched developments in Dhaka with measured caution, concerned about reports of political instability and attacks on minority communities. These tensions have injected uncertainty into a relationship that had, until recently, been characterized by deepening cooperation in trade, energy, and regional security.
Against this background, Jaishankar’s visit goes beyond ceremonial condolences. It is also an act of reassurance—a subtle reminder that India values stability, sincerity, and continuity in its closest eastern neighbor. Whether Jaishankar will meet Yunus during his visit remains uncertain, but even without formal talks, the visit’s diplomatic undertones are unmistakable.
Indian officials have signaled that this is not a moment for negotiation but for empathy—to honor a leader who, despite political divergences, represented a generation that witnessed the transformation of South Asia from a region of poverty and partition to one of promise and partnership.
As Dhaka prepares for the funeral, the mood in the Bangladeshi capital is somber but reflective. Crowds bearing flowers have gathered outside her residence, and political leaders across party lines have paid public tributes, acknowledging her contribution to the nation’s political fabric. For many Bangladeshis, especially older generations, Khaleda Zia was a symbol of resistance—someone who fought from the opposition benches when democracy was under threat, who endured imprisonment and isolation, and yet continued to influence the political course of her country.
Across the border, memories of India’s ties with her leadership years are equally layered. Her government oversaw important cross-border initiatives, though often in the shadow of political mistrust. Yet, both nations found common ground in economic cooperation and cultural connections. India’s decision to send Jaishankar thus reflects its desire to look beyond momentary political moods—to honor a shared history rooted in people, not just politics.
As the sun sets on the day of her final farewell, the event encapsulates more than grief—it holds quiet symbolism. For Bangladesh, it signifies the closure of a transformative chapter. For India, it is a reminder that South Asia’s history is woven from intertwined struggles and shared destinies. And for those who remember Khaleda Zia not only as a leader but as a woman who stood at the heart of Bangladesh’s tumultuous political evolution, it is a time to reflect on endurance, conviction, and the cost of leadership.
In paying its respects through Jaishankar’s presence, India acknowledges both the person and the political legacy. It signals that even amid uncertainty, the bonds that connect the two nations—born from blood, memory, and geography—endure beyond governments and generations.