New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid a brief but diplomatically significant visit to Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, during which he held meetings with key regional figures, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman and Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Jaishankar represented India at the state funeral and conveyed a letter of condolence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of Khaleda Zia and the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. During their interaction, Jaishankar acknowledged Zia’s role in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic journey and expressed hope that bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh would strengthen following the upcoming national elections.
The meeting with Rahman assumes significance as he is widely viewed as a leading contender for the prime minister’s post in the elections scheduled for February 12. The exchange reflected India’s intent to maintain engagement across the political spectrum in Bangladesh during a period of political transition.
Jaishankar also had a brief interaction with Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on the sidelines of the funeral. The exchange of greetings took place in a common area where senior ministers and dignitaries from neighbouring countries had gathered to pay their respects. Officials later clarified that the interaction was incidental and should not be interpreted as a formal diplomatic engagement, especially given the absence of bilateral talks between the two sides since Operation Sindoor.
The external affairs minister was also seen interacting with other regional dignitaries, including Nepal’s newly appointed foreign minister, reflecting the broader regional presence at the funeral.
Jaishankar’s visit lasted around four hours and came against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Bangladesh since the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed office. New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns over incidents involving minority communities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
India is also closely monitoring Dhaka’s evolving foreign policy posture, including its growing engagement with Pakistan and China. The visit, though brief, underscored India’s effort to sustain dialogue and remain diplomatically engaged during a sensitive phase in regional politics.
