NA Speaker meets India’s Jaishankar on sidelines of Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka

Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the state funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Tuesday, marking the first notable high-level contact initiated by the Indian side since the Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025.

According to an official statement, the NA speaker arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day to attend the state funeral and was received by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider.

While signing the condolence book at the Parliament of Bangladesh, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was approached by Dr. Jaishankar, who introduced himself during a brief handshake and said he recognised the Pakistani speaker.

READ MORE: Bangladesh mourns ex-PM Khaleda Zia with state funeral

The interaction marks a significant diplomatic contact following the May 2025 tensions.

Pakistan, the statement said, has consistently emphasised dialogue, restraint and cooperative measures, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations into the Pahalgam incident, to avoid escalation.

During the visit, the NA speaker also called on the family of the late Begum Khaleda Zia and conveyed condolences to her son Tariq Rahman and other family members. He expressed grief on behalf of the prime minister, parliament, the government, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and the people of Pakistan.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid tribute to Begum Khaleda Zia’s services for the progress and welfare of Bangladesh and acknowledged her role in strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations during her tenure.

READ MORE: Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80

He also met Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalil ur Rehman, Advisor on Law and Justice Asif Nazrul, and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, with discussions focusing on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Later, the NA speaker attended the state funeral and offered prayers for the departed soul, seeking patience and strength for the bereaved family and the people of Bangladesh.