‘Leader of rare resolve’: What PM Modi wrote to Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman; read full letter

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia in a personal letter addressed to her son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, describing her as a leader of “rare resolve and conviction” whose legacy would continue to shape ties between India and Bangladesh.The letter was handed over by external affairs minister S Jaishankar, who represented India at Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka on Wednesday. Zia, a three-time prime minister and the founding figure of the BNP, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, prompting an outpouring of condolences from regional leaders.In his message, PM Modi wrote, “Dear Tarique Rahman Saheb, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of your mother, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on this profound personal loss.” He recalled his meeting with Zia during his visit to Dhaka in June 2015, saying she “made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh, as well as to the strengthening of India-Bangladesh relations”.PM Modi described Zia as “the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh” and said that while her death left “an irreplaceable void”, her “vision and legacy will endure”. Expressing confidence in Tarique Rahman’s political role, he added, “I am confident that her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh.”The prime minister also extended his thoughts to the Bangladeshi people, praising their “shared values, democratic traditions, and a deep sense of national unity”, and wished Rahman strength and fortitude in overcoming the loss.Jaishankar echoed similar sentiments during his interaction with Rahman, later posting on social media that he had conveyed “deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India” and expressed confidence that “Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership”.On the sidelines of the funeral, Jaishankar exchanged greetings with several regional dignitaries, including Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Nepal’s foreign minister Balananda Sharma.