Indian EAM S. Jaishankar arrives in Dhaka to represent India, signaling a significant diplomatic outreach to the BNP ahead of the 2026 elections.
December 31, 2025: Bangladesh is engulfed in grief today, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, as the nation prepares for the final rites of Begum Khaleda Zia.1 The former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday morning following a prolonged battle with multiple ailments.
In a rare gesture of regional solidarity, several high-profile foreign dignitaries, led by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, have arrived in the capital to pay their final respects.
The Final Journey: Schedule & Venue
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has facilitated a grand state funeral for the leader who dominated Bangladeshi politics for over four decades.
- Morning (Feroza): Her body was moved from the Evercare Hospital mortuary to her Gulshan residence, Feroza, early this morning for family members to pay their last respects.
- The Janaza (2:00 PM): The funeral prayers (Namaz-e-Janaza) will be held at the Manik Mia Avenue and the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).
- The Burial: Following the prayers, she will be laid to rest with full state honors at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, beside the grave of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.
Diplomatic Outreach: India’s Presence
S. Jaishankar’s visit is being viewed as a crucial diplomatic pivot.
- PM Modi’s Tribute: Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned her passing, recalling their 2015 meeting and stating that her “important contributions to India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered.”
- The BNP Factor: With the BNP widely expected to win the upcoming February 2026 elections, Jaishankar’s presence is seen as an early outreach to Tarique Rahman (Khaleda’s son and BNP acting chairman) to stabilize ties after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
- Other Dignitaries: Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also expected to attend.
A Nation in Mourning
| Order | Protocol Observed |
| State Mourning | Three days (Dec 31 – Jan 2); National flag at half-mast. |
| General Holiday | Declared for Wednesday, Dec 31 to allow citizens to attend the funeral. |
| Restrictions | Ban on fireworks, sky lanterns, and cultural open-air programs in Dhaka. |
| Special Prayers | Held at mosques, temples, and churches across the country today. |
Legacy of the “Uncompromising Leader”
Khaleda Zia’s death marks the end of the “Battle of the Begums” era. As Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, she was credited with:
- Restoring Democracy: Leading the mass uprising against military dictator HM Ershad in 1990.
- Education Reform: Introducing free primary education for girls and stipends for female students.
- Political Resilience: Maintaining the BNP’s influence despite years of house arrest and legal battles under the previous regime.