External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to represent the government and people of India at the funeral of three-time former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia.

As Delhi believes Khaleda Zia’s vision and legacy will continue to guide the partnership between Bangladesh and India, Jaishankar will represent the government and people of India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia.

He (Jaishankar) arrived here at 11:30am, a senior official told UNB, noting that it is a brief visit on short notice to pay last respect to Khaleda.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive the Indian Minister.

Khaleda Zia, the then Leader of the Opposition, visited India at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister from October 28 to November 3, 2012.

Her last official visit to India was in March 2006 as the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She paid a state visit to India from March 20-22 March at the invitation of the then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

During the visit, she held comprehensive discussions with then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide Dhaka-Delhi partnership.

"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," PM Modi said in a message.

Hope ex-PM Khaleda's vision, legacy to guide our partnership: PM Modi

Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon.

The Indian Prime Minister said he is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Khaleda and hoped that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. 

“May her soul rest in peace," Prime Minister Modi said in the message.

"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," he said.

As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, PM Modi said, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as Bangladesh-India relations, will always be remembered.