NEW DELHI: Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka would help India and Bangladesh script a new chapter in bilateral ties, guided by shared interests, pragmatism and mutual interdependence.In a post on X, Hamidullah wrote, “As Hon External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar left Dhaka following a whirlwind 4-hr visit, Bangladesh & India would look forward to script a new chapter in Bangladesh-India ties in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with BNP Acting Chair Tarique Rahman, this afternoon.” The high commissioner also shared his interaction with S Jaishankar. Adding the EAM’s optimism on strengthening bilateral ties, the commissioner wrote, “Hon. external affairs minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people, Govt of India as Bangladesh mourns passing of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Hamidullah further added that Jaishankar “recognized her contribution to democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election.” Earlier on Wednesday, EAM Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on a special flight. He conveyed the condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. The minister also handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, the son of the former PM of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia. Jaishankar also shared the interaction in a post on X and wrote, “On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” “Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” the EAM added.Bangladesh is observing a public holiday on Wednesday and has entered three days of state mourning.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She had been a prominent figure in the political history of Bangladesh and served three terms as prime minister.Zia also played a pivotal role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.
