Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally written a letter as BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who represented the government and people of India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BNP Acting Chairman and Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman.
On arrival in Dhaka, Jaishankar met Tarique Rahman. “(I’ve) handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (I’ve) conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India,” said the Indian Minister.
Jaishankar expressed the confidence that Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of Dhaka-Delhi partnership.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were, among others, present at the meeting.
Jaishankar spent four hours in Dhaka, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah who is currently visiting Dhaka.
He said Bangladesh and India would look forward to script a new chapter in their ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with BNP Acting Chairman.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the Indian Minister.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide Dhaka-Delhi partnership.
"I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," PM Modi said in a message.
