Regional leaders arrive in Dhaka for Khaleda Zia's state funeral
External affairs ministers from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and speaker from Pakistan arrived in Dhaka to attend the state funeral of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, underscoring regional respect for her leadership and legacy.
Foreign ministers and high-level dignitaries from across South Asia have converged in Dhaka to pay their final respects to the late former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia today (31 December).
Representing the government and people of India, its External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 11:30am today, according to UNB.
He was received by senior officials from Jaishankar's presence follows a message of deep condolence from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recalled his 2015 meeting with Begum Zia and emphasised that her vision for the development of Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh relations would be remembered as a guiding force for the bilateral partnership.
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Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Bala Nanda Sharma was among the first to reach the capital, landing last night (30 December), according to UNB. He was received by Foreign Ministry Secretary M Forhadul Islam and Nepalese Ambassador Ghanashyam Bhandari.
The Nepalese ministry noted that Sharma's visit reflects the deep respect Kathmandu holds for the late leader's efforts in strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh ties during her three tenures as prime minister.
Leading the Bhutanese delegation, Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D N Dhungyel arrived this morning. He was received at the Dhaka Airport by Bhutan's Ambassador and high officials from Bangladesh's foreign ministry, HSIA Executive Director SM Samad told BSS.
Simultaneously, representatives from other Saarc nations began arriving to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza scheduled for 2pm at Manik Mia Avenue.
Later, Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also arrived here this morning (31 December) to attend the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, representing the Government of Pakistan, according to BSS.
He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) this morning by Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh and high officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Pakistan High Commission's Press Counsellor in Dhaka Fasih Ullah Khan told BSS.
The flight arrived at the Dhaka airport at around 11:50am, HSIA's spokesperson flight Lt Masud said.
Sri Lankan foreign minister Vijitha Herath also arrived here this afternoon to attend the funeral of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia today, representing the Government of Sri Lanka, according to BSS.
He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) this morning by Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh and high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), spokesperson of Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka told BSS.
The flight was arrived here around 1 pm at the airport, HSIA's spokesperson flight Lt Masud said.
From the Maldives, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, minister for Higher Education and Labor, is attending as a special envoy of the Maldivian President.
The significant turnout of South Asian representatives is a testament to Begum Khaleda Zia's enduring role in regional politics.
As the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh, she carried forward a unique diplomatic mantle. It is historically significant to note that the very concept of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) was pioneered by her husband, the late president Ziaur Rahman.
Throughout her three terms in office, she remained a steadfast proponent of this regional bloc, advocating for collective economic growth and sovereign equality among member states.
During her leadership, Bangladesh often acted as a bridge within the subcontinent.
