Tributes are pouring in from around the world as Bangladesh mourns Khaleda Zia.
Published December 30, 2025
The death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia prompted an outpouring of condolences from around the world, with leaders highlighting her contribution to the country as the first female prime minister.
Khaleda passed away at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday after a long illness. She was 80 years old.
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The reaction is summarized as follows.
bangladesh
The country’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed “deep sadness” at the three-time prime minister’s death. He described her as a “symbol of the democratic movement” and said her fight to establish “democracy, multiparty political culture and people’s rights in Bangladesh” would be forever remembered.
He said he was “deeply saddened and saddened by her death.”
Khaleda’s long-time political rival Sheikh Hasina, who remains in exile in India after being ousted last year, also expressed condolences.
“As the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contribution to the nation was great and will be remembered. Her death marks a grave loss for the political life of Bangladesh and the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” Hasina said in a post shared online by the Awami League.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by Khaleda’s death and offered his “deepest condolences” to her family and the people of Bangladesh.
“As the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her significant contribution to India-Bangladesh relations as well as the development of Bangladesh will be forever remembered,” he wrote in X.
Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sadness and described Zia as a “dedicated friend of Pakistan”.
“Her lifelong service to Bangladesh and its growth and development left a lasting legacy,” he wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time.”
US
The US Embassy in Dhaka expressed its deep condolences over Zia’s death.
“Mrs. Zia played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s modern history and her leadership contributed to the development of Bangladesh,” the paper said.
