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Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh prime minister and BNP chief, dies at 80

Former Bangladesh prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia died at 80 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics.

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Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She died at around 6 am while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka, the BNP said in an official statement.

Khaleda Zia had been hospitalised for over a month after being admitted with serious infections affecting her heart and lungs. She was also suffering from pneumonia and multiple long-term health complications, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic ailments related to her kidneys, heart, lungs, and eyesight. A team of specialists from several countries was overseeing her treatment, according to media reports.

The BNP, confirming her death, said prayers were being offered for the forgiveness of her soul and urged supporters and citizens to remember her in their prayers.

Prime Minister Modi expresses grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Khaleda Zia’s demise, describing her as a towering political figure and Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister. In a post on X, Modi extended condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, noting that her contributions to the country’s development and India-Bangladesh relations would be remembered.

He also recalled a meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and said her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral ties between the two nations.

A political journey shaped by upheaval

Khaleda Zia formally entered politics after the assassination of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. Ziaur Rahman had founded the BNP, and following his death, Khaleda Zia joined the party to hold it together during a period of uncertainty. She went on to become BNP vice-president in 1984 and its chairperson later that year.

Her rise coincided with a broader pro-democracy movement in Bangladesh. Along with Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League, Khaleda Zia played a key role in the popular uprising that ended military rule under Hossain Mohammad Ershad in 1990. Their cooperation later turned into a bitter rivalry that dominated Bangladesh’s political landscape for decades.

Three-time prime minister and key reforms

Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister after the BNP emerged victorious in the 1991 parliamentary elections. During her tenure, she introduced the parliamentary system of government, replacing the presidential model, and ensured that executive power rested with the prime minister.

She also played a role in introducing the caretaker government system to oversee free and fair elections, lifted restrictions on foreign investment, and made primary education compulsory and free.

After a brief and contested second term in 1996, Khaleda Zia returned to power in 2001 with a decisive mandate, beginning her third term as prime minister. However, this phase was marked by allegations of corruption, rising militancy, and political violence, including a deadly grenade attack at an opposition rally in 2004.

Legal battles and declining health

Following political instability, an army-backed interim government took charge in 2006, and Khaleda Zia was later jailed on corruption charges. Although she was released ahead of the 2008 elections, she never returned to power.

In subsequent years, she faced multiple convictions, which she and her party described as politically motivated. Due to worsening health, she was shifted to house arrest on humanitarian grounds in 2020 and later freed in 2024 following a change in political circumstances. Earlier this year, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court acquitted her and her son Tarique Rahman in key corruption cases.

Early life and family

Born in 1945 in Jalpaiguri, then part of British India, Khaleda Zia moved to East Bengal with her family after Partition. She completed her schooling in Dinajpur and married Ziaur Rahman in 1960. She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, passed away earlier.

With her death, Bangladesh has lost one of its most influential and polarising political leaders, whose legacy shaped the country’s politics for over three decades.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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