Indian FM Arriving in Dhaka for Khaleda Zia’s Funeral

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Bangladesh to attend the funeral prayers of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, according to officials.

A senior official at the Bangladesh High Commission in Dhaka confirmed to the media today that the Indian foreign minister would be arriving in the capital for the occasion.

The Indian High Commission also issued a similar confirmation, stating that Jaishankar would be present to pay his respects at Khaleda Zia’s janaza.

Meanwhile, several foreign missions based in Dhaka, along with the United Nations and the European Union, have expressed deep sorrow over the former prime minister’s death. On Tuesday, many diplomatic missions shared condolence messages on their official Facebook pages, offering sympathy to the bereaved family and the people of Bangladesh.

In response to Khaleda Zia’s passing, the government has announced three days of state mourning from Wednesday to Friday (December 31, January 1 and January 2). A nationwide public holiday has also been declared for tomorrow (December 31).

Earlier, Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. She was 80 years old at the time of her death.