Delhi, December 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka and recalled her contributions to the India-Bangladesh relations in the past.

PM Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to have learnt of her passing.

In a post on X, Modi stated: “Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss. As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered.”

Prime Minister Modi recalled meeting the Bangladesh leader back in 2015, one year into him becoming the Prime Minister of India.

"We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace,” PM Modi wrote.

Khaleda Zia, 80, died at around 6 AM on Tuesday after days of battling an illness, her party BNP said in a statement earlier today. She had returned to the country in May after undergoing medical treatment in the U.K.

Zia was an important figure in the politics of Bangladesh and her death comes just days after her son Tarique Rahman returned to the country after 17 years of exile in London.