PM Modi pens a letter to Tarique Rahman says Khaleda Zia contributed to India-Bangladesh ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his letter to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman, appreciating his mother, Khaleda Zia's role in boosting bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh on the day of her funeral. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar handed over the letter to Rahman after meeting him in Dhaka during Zia's funeral on Wednesday.

"I warmly recall my meeting and discussions with Begum Sahiba (Khaleda Zia) in Dhaka in June 2015. She was a leader of rare resolve and conviction, and had the distinction of being the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh as well as to the strengthening of the India-Bangladesh ties," PM Modi wrote in his letter.

PM Modi also expressed his condolences following Zia's death. Mentioning that Zia's death would create an irreplaceable void in the country, he emphasised that her legacy would be carried forward in the coming time under the supervision of Tarique



Rahman.

"While her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure. I am confident that her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh," Modi mentioned.

On Wednesday, the former three-time Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia was buried with state honours in Dhaka, with thousands of people and several dignitaries, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, attending the funeral ceremony.

The 80-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stalwart was laid to rest next to her husband and former President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, home to the country's parliament.

Before the funeral, Jaishankar met Khaleda Zia's son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, widely tipped to be the next Bangladesh Prime Minister.