United News of Bangladesh

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will 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) will accordingly visit Dhaka December 31,” a senior official told UNB noting that it is a brief visit on short notice to pay last respect to Khaleda. 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. 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.

A number of high-level dignitaries, including from India, Pakistan, Bhutan and the Maldives, will join former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's funeral on Wednesday to pay their last respect to her. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaisankar, Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Isĥaq Dar are among the likely foreign dignitaries. Khaleda to be laid to rest beside Zia; Janaza at Parliament’s South Plaza "This is still a developing story. We might get a concrete list of dignitaries by soon," a diplomat told UNB.

The Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh on Tuesday said they are deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. "Russia will remember her with gratitude for the cordial relations maintained with our country during her three tenures as the head of the Government," said the Embassy. The Embassy extended their sincere condolences to her family, friends and fellow party members.

Nepalese Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expressed sorrow over the death of Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh," she said in a message. On behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, the Nepalese Prime Minister extended her heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh. Iran condoles death of former PM Khaleda Zia Begum Zia leaves behind a legacy of lifelong public service, with her enduring leadership marking a historic chapter in the democratic journey of her country, he said. "As a true friend of Nepal, she will be remembered for her significant role in strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh relations. May her departed soul rest in eternal peace," said the Nepalese Prime Minister.  

The Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday extended its sincere condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as to the leadership and members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message, the Embassy described Khaleda Zia as a prominent national leader who played a significant role in the political history of Bangladesh and made notable contributions to democratic governance and public life throughout her career. During her tenure as Prime Minister, the Embassy said, Bangladesh maintained constructive and friendly relations with Iran, based on mutual respect and cooperation. Mamata Banerjee mourns death of Khaleda Zia It also conveyed its deepest sympathy to her family, including her son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, as well as her colleagues and supporters, and wished peace for her departed soul.  

The French Embassy in Bangladesh has expressed its deepest condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the country’s first female head of government. Throughout her long public career, Begum Zia played an important role in shaping Bangladesh’s national life, said the Embassy in a message on Tuesday. "Her legacy will be remembered," France said. At this time of mourning, France extended its thoughts to her family, her party, and the people of Bangladesh.  

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said he is deeply saddened by the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the BNP and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "Her lifelong service to Bangladesh and its growth and development leaves a lasting legacy," he said in a message. Begum Zia was a committed friend of Pakistan, said the Pakistan Prime Minister. "My Government and the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Bangladesh in this moment of sorrow," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time. May Allah SWT bless her soul. Ameen!".  

The United States on Tuesday extended deepest condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Zia played a pivotal role in shaping her country’s modern history, and her leadership was instrumental in advancing Bangladesh’s development, said the US in a message shared by its Embassy in Dhaka.

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," Prime Minister Modi said in a message. Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is going to represent the government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia. He will accordingly visit Dhaka on December 31, a senior official told UNB. 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 pashope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," Prime Minister Modi said in a 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.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding ‘free, fair, and peaceful’ elections, adding that full preparations are underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum. “We are fully prepared,” Prof Yunus said, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly. The Chief Adviser made the remarks when Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson on Monday paid a farewell call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the Interim Government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries. Prof Yunus welcomes growing Bangladesh-Pakistan engagement Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, appreciated the leadership of the Chief Adviser over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of the United States government for the February elections, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Monday. The US Chargé d’Affaires lauded the reforms undertaken by the Interim Government and, in particular, praised the ‘truly remarkable and extraordinary’ labour laws, saying they would help attract greater foreign direct investment to Bangladesh. She also commended the Interim Government for withdrawing 45 of the 46 cases that had been filed against the country’s labour leaders under previous governments. In response, the Chief Adviser described the new labour ordinance as an ‘excellent piece of legislation’, adding that leading Bangladeshi labour activists have publicly welcomed the reforms and the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions by the Interim Government. Election to be held on time, Prof Yunus tells US Special Envoy They also discussed funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance. The Chief Adviser thanked the United States for continued support for the Rohingyas. "The United States remains the single largest donor to life-saving humanitarian aid for more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingya living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh," said Prof Yunus, expressing the hope that such support will continue in the future.   The Chief Adviser thanked the US Chargé d’Affaires for her “critical work” during her year-long tenure and for being a ‘friend to Bangladesh’ and extended an invitation to her to visit in future. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.