Who Was Khaleda Zia? Remembering Bangladesh's First Female Prime Minister

A Tribute to Khaleda Zia

New Delhi: India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is set to represent the nation at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, the pioneering female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on Wednesday.

Zia, who served as Prime Minister three times, passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to pay his respects to the late leader.

As per a statement from Zia's party, she passed away around 6 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment for over a month.

She was admitted to the hospital on November 23 due to severe complications related to her heart and lungs.

Reports indicate that she was also fighting pneumonia in her final days and had been under constant medical supervision for 36 days, with her health described as precarious.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, honoring her as a significant figure whose impact on Bangladesh and its relationship with India will be remembered.

In his message on X, PM Modi stated, "I am deeply saddened by the news of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's passing in Dhaka. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and the people of Bangladesh."

He further remarked, "As the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in Bangladesh, her vital contributions to the nation's development and India-Bangladesh relations will always be cherished. I fondly recall our meeting in Dhaka in 2015. We hope her vision and legacy will continue to inspire our partnership. May she rest in peace."

Throughout her life, Khaleda Zia faced numerous health challenges, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and vision.

Her medical care involved a team of specialists from both Bangladesh and abroad, including experts from the UK, USA, China, and Australia.

Earlier this month, there were discussions about transferring her for advanced treatment overseas, but medical professionals ultimately advised against it due to her fragile state.