Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He remembered meeting her in 2015. He said her vision should continue to shape ties between India and Bangladesh.

Posting on X, PM Modi wrote, “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."

He also acknowledged her historic role. “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."

Recalling their interaction, he added, “I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace."

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… pic.twitter.com/BLg6K52vak

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2025

Early strain in India–BNP ties

India’s relationship with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party remained tense even before the Awami League consolidated power under Sheikh Hasina. Security and political concerns drove this strain.

When the BNP ruled from 2001 to 2006, border issues created friction. India also alleged that anti-India groups operated from Bangladeshi territory. In 2004, Indian agencies flagged the seizure of ten truckloads of weapons at the Chattogram CUFL jetty. New Delhi said the arms were meant for separatist groups in India’s northeast.

Ongoing concerns and political distance

India’s caution continued in the following years. In 2013, New Delhi raised concerns about acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman’s alleged links with fundamentalist groups and the ISI.

The BNP’s alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami deepened India’s worries. As a result, India kept the BNP at a distance. It instead built close strategic and security ties with Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.

Khaleda Zia often took a guarded stand toward India. At times, she adopted a confrontational tone. She stressed Bangladesh’s sovereignty in her early political years.

Firm stand on transit and treaties

Khaleda Zia consistently opposed overland transit and connectivity arrangements with India. She maintained this stand as prime minister and later as Leader of the Opposition between 1996 and 2014.

As prime minister, she refused to grant India transit access through Bangladesh to its northeastern states. She argued that such access would weaken national security and sovereignty.

She also criticised plans that allowed Indian trucks to use Bangladeshi roads without tolls. She called such proposals “slavery".

She opposed renewing the 1972 Indo-Bangladesh Friendship Treaty. She argued that the treaty had effectively “shackled" Bangladesh.

However, she did not reject cooperation outright. She linked transit permissions to clear benefits for Bangladesh. A 2014 Dhaka Tribune report quoted her as saying transit approval should come with progress on the Teesta water-sharing agreement.

India recalibrates after Hasina’s exit

The exit of Sheikh Hasina’s government on 5 August last year changed Bangladesh’s political landscape. For years, India had focused its engagement on the Awami League.

After Hasina’s departure, an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge. India then adjusted its diplomatic approach to the new reality.

The BNP re-emerged as a key political force after years in opposition. However, India had limited direct contact with its leadership due to prolonged disengagement.

Fresh outreach and renewed dialogue

After the political transition, Indian officials began engaging with multiple parties, including the BNP. Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs met BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

According to Swarajya, Indian representatives also reached out to acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London. Rahman reportedly showed openness to restoring regular dialogue with India.

Indian officials said New Delhi would engage with all major political stakeholders who could play a future role in governance.

BNP leaders responded positively. They acknowledged that India’s support would help ensure stability. They also saw it as important while dealing with Western pressure and the Yunus-led interim administration.

Confidence-building steps by BNP

A key moment came on 22 September last year. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met BNP leaders at their Dhaka headquarters. Alamgir called the meeting a “turning point".

He assured that the BNP would not allow Bangladeshi territory to be used for anti-India activities.

The BNP also offered an “iron-clad guarantee" to protect religious minorities, including Hindus, Swarajya reported.

To support this claim, party workers provided security during Krishna Janmashtami and later during Durga Puja. The BNP also opposed Islamist calls to ban the Awami League. It objected to demands to ban ISKCON after the arrest of an ISKCON monk. The party said the move served “vested interests" and warned it could spark communal unrest and harm Bangladesh’s global image.

Elections and the road ahead

By late 2024, India quietly supported the BNP’s demand for early elections. New Delhi cited the need for political stability. The interim government later announced plans to hold elections in 2026.

Bangladesh now moves toward national polls expected by February next year. With the Awami League barred from contesting, the BNP stands as the main political contender.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who has lived in self-exile in London for 26 years, announced in October that he plans to return to Bangladesh and contest the elections.

According to IANS, Indian officials admit ties with Dhaka remain strained since Hasina’s exit. However, Prime Minister Modi has said India should continue engagement with Bangladesh regardless of political change.

The BNP has also cut ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, which India views as an extremist group. The party has repeatedly said it will not allow Bangladeshi soil to threaten India’s security. Its leadership has stressed stability, an end to political violence, and the need to avoid the instability seen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.