New Delhi/Dhaka, 31 December (H.S.): External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar personally handed a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during Wednesday's funeral proceedings for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away Tuesday at age 80 after prolonged illness including liver cirrhosis at Evercare Hospital.

The gesture, executed seamlessly at Zia's Gulshan residence post-namaz-e-janaza at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, symbolized India's solidarity amid strained bilateral ties under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, with no diplomatic incidents or delays reported.

Diplomatic Outreach at Solemn Rites

Jaishankar, representing India alongside Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, joined dignitaries for Zia's 2:00 p.m. funeral prayer and 3:30 p.m. burial with full state honours beside husband Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar mazar, following Modi's X post: Deeply saddened... recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015... her vision will guide our partnership.

Rahman, exiled in London until recently after 17 years, received the missive during family respects at Firoze residence, where BNP declared seven-day mourning with black flags nationwide.

Strategic Context Amid Tensions

The visit—amid minority attacks concerns post-Hasina ouster—signals outreach to BNP ahead of February elections, echoing Modi's 2015 Dhaka engagement with Zia during her three-term tenure championing democracy against Awami League rivalry.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen similarly conveyed Premier Li Qiang's sympathies, while Yunus hosted Advisory Council post-funeral without bilateral Jaishankar-Yunus meetings confirmed, underscoring calibrated diplomacy sans disruptions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar