What happened:
On December 30, 2025, following the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Dhaka and meet her family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, recalling his 2015 meeting with Zia and acknowledging her role in Bangladesh’s development and bilateral ties.
Why it matters to India:
Zia’s death comes at a sensitive moment, with India–Bangladesh relations strained after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and rising concerns over minority safety. The episode underscores uncertainty in Bangladesh’s political transition and its implications for India’s neighbourhood diplomacy and regional security.