Jaishankar To Attend Khaleda Zia’s Funeral In Dhaka Amid Strained India-Bangladesh Ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. The Ministry of External Affairs said he will represent the government and people of India at the ceremony. Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She had been suffering from multiple health issues and was recently taken to London for advanced medical care. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier expressed condolences, praising her role as Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and her contribution to India-Bangladesh ties. Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when bilateral relations are under strain over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and related diplomatic tensions.