What did Jaishankar do at Khaleda’s funeral? When OP shook hands with Pak leader after Sindoor, Bangladesh said – ‘New chapter of relations’

Khaleda Zia Funeral Dhaka: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and veteran BNP leader Khaleda Zia was given a final farewell with full state honors in Dhaka on Wednesday. Thousands of people attended the funeral of 80-year-old Khaleda. At the same time, top leaders and representatives of many countries were also present at the funeral. India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar Also reached Dhaka on this occasion.

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Khaleda Zia She was buried in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar next to her husband and former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman. This is the same complex where the Parliament of Bangladesh is also located. His coffin, draped in the national flag, was placed at the western end of Manik Miyan Avenue.

Jaishankar-Tariq Rehman meeting

Before the funeral, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP acting president Tariq Rehman. Tariq Rahman is considered a strong contender to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. During this, Jaishankar handed him a condolence message on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar met Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

Jaishankar also met Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka and extended formal greetings. The photo of this meeting was shared on the official social media handle of Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, while this meeting was not made public by Jaishankar or Sadiq. This is the first meeting between the top leaders of India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. However, questions are also being raised on Jaishankar shaking hands with the Pak Speaker. People are asking that Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistan in cricket, then why is Jaishankar shaking hands.

People gathered on the streets of Dhaka

Despite the harsh cold, people from all sections of the society flocked to the streets of Dhaka. People were seen praying with tearful eyes for the peace of Khaleda Zia’s soul. Due to security reasons, common people were not allowed at the time of burial, because the last rites were conducted with full state honours.

Presence of giants from South Asia

Senior leaders of many South Asian countries attended the funeral of Khaleda Zia, including Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Maldives’ Higher Education and Labor Minister Ali Haider Ahmed.

diplomatic message

Jaishankar’s visit has come at a time when India-Bangladesh relations have cooled down after Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power. Sheikh Hasina has long been considered a close ally of India… Additionally, India has consistently expressed concern over attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. According to experts, Jaishankar’s presence at Khaleda Zia’s funeral is being seen as a diplomatic outreach from New Delhi to Dhaka.

Khaleda Zia strengthened Bangladesh’s relations with China

Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh three times – from 1991 to 1996, for a few weeks in February 1996, and again from 2001 to 2006. Her leadership was often seen as a balance between Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and close ties with India. During her tenure, Khaleda Zia strengthened Bangladesh’s relations with China, which made New Delhi uneasy. Especially during his second term, China emerged as the largest defense equipment supplier to Bangladesh… India-Bangladesh relations are witnessing further tension after the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus came to power in August 2024.