Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, expressed profound grief over the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister and the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Zia passed away in Dhaka at the age of 80.
PM Modi's Tribute to a Key Partner
In a heartfelt message posted on the social media platform X, PM Modi extended his sincerest condolences to Zia's family and the people of Bangladesh. He prayed for strength for her bereaved family to bear the tragic loss.
Modi specifically remembered Khaleda Zia's significant contributions to Bangladesh's development and, crucially, to fostering India-Bangladesh relations. He fondly recalled his warm meeting with her in Dhaka back in 2015. The Prime Minister expressed hope that her vision and legacy would continue to guide the partnership between the two neighbouring nations.
A Life in Politics and Failing Health
The BNP officially announced Khaleda Zia's death via a Facebook post, stating she breathed her last at 6 AM on Tuesday. She had been admitted to the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23. The former leader had been battling multiple health issues, including advanced cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, arthritis, and heart ailments.
Khaleda Zia's political career was landmark. She served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh three times:
- From 1991 to 1996
- Briefly in 1996
- From 2001 to 2006
Her election in February 1991, following the fall of military rule, made her the country's first female head of government.
Nation Mourns a "Great Guardian"
Condolences poured in from across Bangladesh. The country's Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, described her death as a monumental loss. In his condolence message, Yunus stated the nation had lost "a great guardian" and that he was deeply saddened.
He emphasized that Zia was more than a party leader; she represented a pivotal chapter in Bangladesh's history. Yunus also noted that the government had earlier in December accorded her the status of a Very Important Person (VIP) of the State, recognizing her contributions, long political struggle, and the profound public sentiment she commanded.
The passing of Begum Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics and brings reflections on a complex legacy that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory and its relationship with India.
