Deeply Saddened: PM Modi Condoles Death of Khaleda Zia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia (X.com)

Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss, Modi said

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday December 30, 2025 expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about the passing of Khaleda Zia, who died at the age of 80, and prayed for strength for her family to bear the loss.

“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss,” the Prime Minister said.

Begum Khaleda Zia died in the early hours of Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80 years old.

According to a statement issued by the BNP on Facebook, Zia passed away at around 6 am (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer.

“Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00 am, just after Fajr prayer,” the BNP statement read, adding, “We pray for the eternal peace of her soul and ask everyone to pray for her departed soul.”

Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23 with a lung infection. She had been suffering from several ailments for a long time, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney complications. Earlier this month, she was sent to London for advanced medical treatment.

Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered outside the hospital on Tuesday morning as Begum Zia’s son and Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, arrived to pay his last respects to his late mother.

Recalling her political legacy, Prime Minister Modi noted that as the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia made significant contributions to the country’s development and to India-Bangladesh relations.

“As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace,” the Prime Minister added.

( Source : ANI )