India FM, Pakistan speaker in Dhaka to attend Khaleda’s funeral

Indian Foreign Minister and Pakistan Speaker have arrived in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar landed in Dhaka at 11:55 am on Wednesday aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. He was received by Ishrat Jahan, Director General of the South Asia Wing at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Indian High Commissioner Pranay K. Verma.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission confirmed that the country’s Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also arrived in Dhaka. His visit is being made on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan as a gesture of solidarity and to honor Khaleda Zia’s decades-long role in Bangladesh’s democratic history.

The former Prime Minister passed away around 6:00 am on Tuesday (30 December) while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80.