Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia, a towering political figure whose archrivalry with former premier Sheikh Hasina shaped the country’s politics for decades, has died aged 80, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said on Tuesday. As the country's first woman prime minister, she played a pivotal role in restoring democracy after years of military rule and remained a dominant force in national life despite prolonged illness. "My mother is no more," Zia's elder son and BNP acting Chairman Trique Rahman said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Zia's death, saying as the first woman premier of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of the country, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. "We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership," he said.

Source: Indian Express December 30, 2025 01:59 UTC