NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his condolence message on the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, recalling her role in strengthening India-Bangladesh relations.“We sincerely appreciate your message of condolence and remembrance, Honourable @narendramodi. Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh–India relations will be remembered,” the BNP said in a post on X. Zia, a two-time prime minister and the BNP’s founding leader, died on December 30 after a prolonged illness. External affairs minister S Jaishankar represented India at Zia’s funeral on Wednesday and handed over a letter of condolence from PM Modi to BNP leader and Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman. During his meeting with Rahman, Jaishankar expressed confidence that Zia’s “vision and values” would guide the future development of the partnership between India and Bangladesh. Rahman, the BNP’s acting chairman and Zia’s eldest son, is a front-runner for the prime minister’s post in the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12.India-Bangladesh relations have faced strain since the ouster of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and following the installation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. New Delhi has also raised concerns over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
