Jaishankar to Attend Khaleda Zia's Funeral in Dhaka; India Offers Condolences

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Wednesday to convey India’s condolences.
• Khaleda Zia, BNP Chairperson and Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister, passed away at 80 on Tuesday morning at Dhaka’s Apollo Hospital.
• She was a prominent and polarising figure in Bangladeshi politics, known for her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina and her role in shaping the country's discourse.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness and condolences, recalling his 2015 meeting with Zia and her contributions to India-Bangladesh relations.
• Jaishankar's visit occurs amidst a crucial period for India-Bangladesh ties, which have recently seen deterioration following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.

Why It Matters: India's EAM Jaishankar attends Khaleda Zia's funeral, signaling diplomatic outreach amid strained ties.