Page 2 - Bangladesh

Khaleda Zia's vision to guide India-Bangladesh ties: Jaishankar to Rahman

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday represented India at the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and handed over to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman a letter of condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his meeting with Rahman, a front-runner for prime ministership in the February 12 parliamentary polls, Jaishankar expressed confidence that Zia's "vision and values" will guide the development of partnership between the two nations. Rahman, currently serving as the acting chairman of BNP, is the eldest son of Zia. The three-time Bangladesh prime minister and BNP matriarch died on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. In his letter, Modi warmly recalled his meeting and discussions with Zia during his visit to Dhaka in June 2015, adding she was a leader of "rare resolve and conviction". She made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh, as well as to the strengthening of India-Bangladesh relations, Modi ..

End of Battling Begums: Khaleda Zia's death may reshape Bangladesh polls

Khaleda Zia's passing reshapes Bangladesh's political landscape, reviving the BNP's prospects and testing New Delhi's recalibrated ties ahead of pivotal February elections

Khaleda Zia's funeral prayer held in Bangladesh amid tight security

Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia's funeral prayers were held on Wednesday amid tight security. The funeral prayer (namaz-e-janaza) was held at the Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek conducted the funeral prayers while Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Zia. Zia, who dominated Bangladesh's politics for decades, died on Tuesday in Dhaka. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Khaleda Zia's son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined the funeral prayers along with foreign dignitaries, advisers of the interim government, leaders of different political parties and senior government and military officials. "Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven," Zia's elder son, Rahman, told the crowd ahead of the prayers. Millions of people joined namaz-e-janaza of Zia, three-time Prime

Jaishankar conveys India's condolences on ex-B'desh PM Khaleda Zia's death

As tributes continued to pour in from across the world, the body of former Bangladesh prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia reached her Gulshan residence, Firoza, on Wednesday

Khaleda Zia dies at 80: All about the leader who shaped Bangladesh’s politics | BNP | Political news

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has passed away at the age of 80 in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. Her death comes at a politically sensitive moment

Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh to take part in Khaleda Zia's funeral

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet the late Bangladeshi leader's family, especially Rahman, who many observers believe could be his country's next prime minister

Zia's funeral to be held on Dec 31; B'desh announces 3-day state mourning

Khaleda Zia's funeral will be held on Wednesday, as Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday announced a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday following the death of the former prime minister. In a televised address to the nation, Yunus urged people to maintain discipline and order during the funeral prayers and the observance of mourning across the country. At the death of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, I declare three days of state mourning and a one-day general holiday tomorrow on the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers), he said. Zia, the longtime chief of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) and a three-time prime minister, died earlier in the day in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. She was 80. I know that all of you are deeply saddened at this time. I hope that you will show patience during this time of mourning and cooperate with all those concerned who are involved in observing the formalities, including her Namaz-e-Janaza, he sai

'A profound loss': Sheikh Hasina condoles death of former rival Khaleda Zia

The 78-year-old Awami League leader highlighted her role as Bangladesh's first woman prime minister and her contributions to the struggle to establish democracy

Bangladesh lost a 'great guardian', says Yunus mourning Khaleda Zia's death

Bangladesh's interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday described former prime minister Khaleda Zia as a great guardian whose role in the country's democratic journey would be remembered forever, as he expressed profound sorrow at her death. In a condolence message posted on his X handle, Yunus said he was deeply saddened and grief-stricken by the passing of Zia, noting that the nation had lost not just a political leader but a towering stateswoman who represented an important chapter in Bangladesh's history. With the passing of Zia, "the nation has lost a great guardian", he said. Zia, the longtime chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a three-time prime minister, died at around 6 am local time after a prolonged illness at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80. Yunus said Zia's role in establishing democracy, nurturing a multi-party political culture and safeguarding the rights of the people will be remembered forever. "Through her uncompromising ..

Khaleda Zia: From political widow to Bangladesh's 1st woman prime minister

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman PM, entered politics after her husband's assassination and went on to lead the BNP through protest, power and prolonged confrontation

After Khaleda Zia's death, spotlight turns to son Tarique ahead of polls

Tarique's arrival in Bangladesh was seen as a major shift in the politics of the country, which is currently under an interim government under Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus

PM Modi condoles Khaleda Zia's death, recalls role in India-Bangladesh ties

PM Modi highlighted Khaleda Zia's contributions as Bangladesh's first woman prime minister and said her vision and legacy will continue to guide India-Bangladesh ties

Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh PM and BNP supremo, passes away at 80

Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23, following the advice of her medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs

Bangladesh envoy recalled to Dhaka on urgent call amid strained India ties

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Reaz Hamidullah overnight reached Dhaka following an urgent call from the foreign ministry amid visibly strained bilateral ties, reports said late Monday. In view of the recent situation in bilateral ties with India, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi M Reaz Hamidullah was called to Dhaka on an urgent basis, mass-circulation daily Prothom Alo reported. Quoting an unnamed responsible source in the foreign office, the newspaper said Hamidullah reached Dhaka on Monday night in response to the call. He has been summoned to Dhaka for discussions on the recent situation of bilateral relations, the report said.

Bangladesh polls: BNP's Tarique Rahman files nomination papers in Dhaka

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman submitted his nomination papers on Monday for the upcoming elections. The papers were filed around 12:00 pm on Monday at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner in Segunbagicha, the Daily Star reported. Abdus Salam, BNP chairperson's adviser, accompanied by Professor Dr Farhad Halim Donar, chief adviser of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), submitted the nomination on Rahman's behalf. Rahman will contest the February 12 election from the Dhaka-17 constituency. Today is the final day for the submission of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking at a briefing, Salam expressed gratitude to all, saying city residents warmly welcomed Rahman after 17 years in exile. He added that they expect the people of Dhaka-17 to spontaneously cast their votes for him in the February 12 election. On Sunday, Bangladesh's Election Commission approved the inclusion of Rahman in the voter list

Bangladesh uprising 'guru' distances himself from NCP over Jamaat alliance

The main leader of last year's violent uprising that toppled the then government in Bangladesh, Mahfuz Alam, on Sunday distanced himself from his disciples under the National Citizen Party (NCP) banner over their move to forge an electoral alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami. In a Facebook post, Alam declined to be a "part of this NCP", as a rift in the party over the alliance issue yielded a memorandum signed by 30 of its senior leaders expressing their stance against the move and two ranking ones announcing their resignation. The fierce 2024 violent street campaign, dubbed the July Uprising, was carried out under the banner of the Students against Discrimination (SAD), and a large offshoot of the platform in February this year emerged as the NCP with interim government chief Muhammad Yunus' blessings. Alam served as the information and broadcast adviser, effectively a minister, and quit the portfolio just ahead of the Election Commission's December 11 announcement of the schedule fo

Ties with India witness a downturn as Bangladesh navigates turbulent 2025

Bangladesh's ties with India witnessed a downturn as it navigated a turbulent 2025 marked by political instability, economic strain and alleged persecution of minorities, leading to a diplomatic tussle between the two neighbours. The relationship between India and Bangladesh hit a rough note after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year following anti-government protests. She was sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal this year for her alleged role in a deadly crackdown during the agitation. Dhaka summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma five times over various issues, while India summoned Bangladesh's High Commissioner Reaz Hamidullah once to express concerns over security in Bangladesh. The transition, from what was widely regarded as an "India-friendly" Awami League government to Muhammad Yunus-led interim dispensation, significantly altered Bangladesh's diplomatic posture. Dhaka's engagement with Islamabad to deepen ties ..

Two suspects in Hadi's murder fled to India, says Bangladesh police

Two primary suspects in the murder of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi have fled Bangladesh and are believed to be currently in India, a top Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer said Sunday. Hadi, 32, was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but died of his injuries on December 18. The suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Sheikh, crossed into the Indian state of Meghalaya with the help of local associates, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) S N Md Nazrul Islam told a press conference at the DMP Media Centre. According to our information, the suspects entered India via the Haluaghat border. After crossing, they were initially received by an individual named Purti. Later, a taxi driver named Sami transported them to Tura city in Meghalaya, The Daily Star said, quoting Islam. The DMP officer did not, however, mention when the two esca

Editors Council accuses section in Bangladesh's govt of allowing violence

Bangladesh's newspaper Editors Council has accused a section of the interim government of allowing the recent spate of violence in the country after the death of Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but died of his injuries on December 18. The same evening, a mob set on fire the offices of two mass circulation newspapers, Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Over half a century-old progressive cultural groups, Chayanat and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, in the capital were also destroyed. They also lynched a Hindu factory worker in central Mymensingh. We clearly know an announcement came to demolish the Prothom Alo, Daily Star and the Chhyanat one or two days before the attacks. The people of the country know, and the government as well knows who gave the announcement, Editors Council President Nurul Kabir said at an event of the Broadcast Journalists Centre (BJC)

After 17 years in exile, BNP leader Tarique Rahman registers as voter

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday completed the formalities to enlist himself on Bangladesh's voter list and obtain a national identity (NID) card, two days after his return from over 17 years of self-exile in London. The 60-year-old leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) visited the Election Commission (EC) office in Dhaka under tight security, where he provided fingerprints and iris scans for biometric enrollment, news portal tbsnews.net reported. He earlier submitted his voter registration application online, officials said. Tarique Rahman has already filled out the online form and has come to complete the registration by providing his fingerprints and iris scan, ASM Humayun Kabir, director general of the National Identity Registration Wing of the Election Commission, told reporters. He is expected to receive his NID card within 24 hours, the official said. Rahman's daughter Zaima also completed her registration formalities for the NID card. Foolproof ..