Leaders from across the world have expressed condolences over the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
In separate condolence messages issued on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed their sympathies, while the European Union extended condolences to the people of Bangladesh, among others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that as the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia’s contributions to the country’s development and to India-Bangladesh relations would be remembered. Recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015, Modi said he hoped her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral relations.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sadness at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. In a statement, he said her lifelong service to Bangladesh and its growth and development had left a lasting legacy.
Describing Khaleda Zia as a committed friend of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said his government and the people of Pakistan stood with the people of Bangladesh in this moment of grief. He offered prayers for her soul and condolences to her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep shock at her death in a message posted on social media platform X. He prayed for the forgiveness of her soul and asked Allah Almighty to grant her a high place in paradise and patience to the bereaved family.
In a condolence message, the European Union said it expressed its deepest sympathies to the people of Bangladesh on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia.
The German Embassy in Dhaka also expressed deep sorrow, describing Khaleda Zia as the three-time prime minister of Bangladesh, the country’s first female head of government, former first lady and BNP chairperson. In its message, the embassy said she played a significant role in shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape over her long career.
The embassy recalled her longstanding engagement with Germany, including meetings with German foreign minister Joschka Fischer during his visit to Dhaka in 2004 and with then German president Christian Wulff during her state visit in 2011, as well as other high-level interactions over the years.
Germany said it honoured her contribution to national life and extended condolences to her family, colleagues and the people of Bangladesh, reaffirming its commitment to the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
The French Embassy in Bangladesh has expressed its deepest condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister of Bangladesh and the country’s first female head of government.
Throughout her long public career, Begum Zia played an important role in shaping Bangladesh’s national life, said the embassy in a message on Tuesday.
“Her legacy will be remembered,” France said.
At this time of mourning, France extended its thoughts to her family, her party, and the people of Bangladesh.
Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday morning.
