Begum Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a towering figure in the country’s political history, passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness, her party confirmed.
Zia first assumed office in 1991, becoming not only Bangladesh’s first woman leader but also one of the earliest female heads of government in a Muslim-majority nation. She served two terms as prime minister, with her leadership defined by efforts to restore democratic processes following periods of military rule.
Her political journey was marked by a fierce rivalry with Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League, shaping Bangladeshi politics for decades. Despite health setbacks in recent years, Zia remained the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) until her death.
Her passing comes just weeks ahead of Bangladesh’s February general election, with her son, Tarique Rahman, emerging as the BNP’s leading figure for the polls. International and regional leaders have offered condolences, highlighting Zia’s enduring influence on Bangladesh’s democratic evolution.
This special report focuses on a major leadership transition in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The bulletin announces, 'It's Tariq Rahman who has now been appointed as the chairperson of the Bangladesh National Party'. This development follows the death of his mother, former Prime Minister and longtime party chief Khaleda Zia, which left the position vacant. Tarique Rahman had been serving as the acting chairperson of the party since 2018, a role he assumed after Khaleda Zia was jailed. The report also includes perspective on the political situation in Bangladesh and the potential implications for upcoming elections from India Today's Foreign Affairs Editor, Geeta Mohan. The appointment marks a formal shift in the leadership of one of Bangladesh's main political parties.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, asserting India's right to defend itself against 'deliberately, persistently, unrepentantly' continuing terrorism. Speaking at IIT Madras, Jaishankar termed Pakistan a 'bad neighbour' and linked the future of the Indus Water Treaty to the cessation of cross-border terror. He stated, 'We will exercise that right. How we exercise that right is up to us,' emphasizing that India will take necessary measures for self-defence. The EAM also referenced his recent visit to Bangladesh for the funeral of former PM Khaleda Zia, contrasting India's supportive approach to other neighbours with its stance on Pakistan.
In this breaking news update, India Today Global Editor Pranay Upadhyay reports on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolence letter to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman following the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar personally handed over the letter to Rahman in Dhaka. The Prime Minister recalled his June 2015 meeting with the late leader, describing her as a figure of 'exceptional resolve and commitment'. The segment also highlights Tarique Rahman's return to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile and the diplomatic significance of this gesture.
In this episode of India First, India Today's Gaurav Sawant analyses the deepening crisis in Bangladesh as the 'blame India' narrative in the Sharif Osman Hadi murder case crumbles.
In this episode of India First, Gaurav Sawant discusses the diplomatic flashpoints between New Delhi and Dhaka as 2025 ends. The Muhammad Yunus administration’s claim that the killers of student leader Osman Bin Hadi fled to India has been debunked. The prime accused, Faisal Karim Masood, released a video from Dubai, denying links to India and blaming the Jamaat-e-Islami. The programme also analyses External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka for the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Experts Salauddin Shoaib Choudhury, Pinakranjan Chakravarti and Subir Bhaumik discuss the implications of these events on the upcoming February 2026 elections and the rise of radicalism in Bangladesh.
In this edition of News Today, the big focus is on the grim tragedy in Indore and the gig workers nationwide strike on New Year's Eve.
On this episode of India First, Managing Editor Gaurav Sawant discusses the dramatic turn in the Osman Hadi murder case in Bangladesh. With the accused Faisal Karim Masood releasing a video from Dubai blaming Jamaat-e-Islami, the panel—including Blitz Editor Salauddin Shoaib Choudhury, former Ambassador Pinak Ranjan Chakravarti, and journalist Subir Bhaumik—debates if the Muhammad Yunus administration's narrative blaming India has collapsed. The discussion also covers the rising targeted killings of Hindus, the role of Pakistan's ISI, and the political dynamics ahead of the February 2026 elections. The experts analyse whether the 'fake narrative' of the Yunus regime is a deflection tactic to fan anti-India sentiments.
In this Super 6 broadcast, the focus is on New Year's Eve celebrations across India. From the lights of Delhi's Connaught Place to the beaches of Goa and the snow-clad mountains of Manali and Gulmarg are buzzing with tourists.
In this episode of 5 Live, the focus is on the gig workers' nationwide strike and what led them to go on a warpath on New Year's Eve.
In this special report, India Today Global Editor Pranay Upadhyay reports from Dhaka on the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away at the age of 80. Upadhyay confirms that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is attending the last rites, carrying a personal message of solidarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Bangladesh and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The report highlights the political significance of the moment, noting Rahman's return from exile on December 25 and the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026. Upadhyay emphasizes India's hope for a "prosperous, stable and peaceful Bangladesh" and inclusive polls.
The External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, has arrived in Dhaka to pay his last respects to the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia. The BNP Chairperson passed away recently, prompting a visit by the Indian minister to convey condolences on behalf of the Government of India. During the visit, Dr Jaishankar met with the Acting Chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, and handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report highlights India's commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh during its democratic transition and the upcoming elections.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.
In this Special Report, M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), discusses the profound grief following the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on December 30, 2025. Millat describes the late leader as a ‘symbol of... democratic struggle’ and confirms that India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will attend the funeral in Dhaka. The conversation also addresses the recent return of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on December 25 and the party's roadmap for the upcoming elections under the interim administration.
A political dispute intensifies in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government of facilitating illegal infiltration to alter state demographics for vote bank politics. Shah stated that the BJP, if elected, would end this practice. In a sharp rebuttal, Banerjee compared BJP leaders to mythological figures 'Duryodhan and Dushasan' and questioned why the central government's Border Security Force has not secured the borders. The controversy also includes debates on the issuance of identity documents to migrants. Separately, the report covers the diplomatic fallout from an upcoming film, 'Battle of Galwan'. Chinese state media has reacted strongly, accusing the film of distorting the facts of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. This has led to analysis of the broader implications for India-China relations and the status of de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A political war has intensified in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government of facilitating illegal infiltration to alter state demographics for vote bank politics.
A political face-off has erupted between the Kerala and Karnataka governments after a demolition drive in Bengaluru’s Kogilu village left hundreds of residents homeless.
As India prepares for New Year 2026, this edition of 5 Live focusses on massive tourist turnout and traffic jams at major tourist destinations.
In this breaking news update, India Today's Foreign Affairs Editor Pranay Upadhyaya reports that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Upadhyaya confirms that Dr Jaishankar will visit Dhaka tomorrow, December 31, 2025. The editor highlights the significance of this visit, noting it as a 'big message' from New Delhi amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations. The report also mentions the recent return of Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile. Upadhyaya analyses the critical nature of this diplomatic gesture, stating, 'This shows that, you know, how much importance India attaches to the relation with Bangladesh.'
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka tomorrow amid tensions between the two nations.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been on ventilator support since December 11. Her death comes just days after her son, Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile to lead the party ahead of the February elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Sheikh Hasina have expressed their condolences. The report examines the political vacuum left by her demise and the implications for the upcoming polls.
