This live has now been closed. Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) bid an emotional farewell to Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia as she was laid to rest near the parliament building amid tight security. Also read | Khaleda Zia: a constant in India’s changing neighbourhoodIndia’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s acting Chairperson and Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Government of India. Mr. Jaishankar carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had condoled the demise of the veteran leaderAlso read | Between the Begums, and their parties, a bitter rivalry and vengeful pastZia, aged 80, died on Tuesday (December 30) following prolonged illness. Her body will be interred alongside her late husband, Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981 during his time as President.

Source: The Hindu December 31, 2025 13:37 UTC