World leaders and diplomatic missions in Dhaka have expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, paying tribute to her leadership, political legacy and contributions to regional and international relations.

Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and one of the country’s most influential political figures, died in Dhaka, prompting condolences from heads of state and government including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as well as messages from senior foreign ministers and international organizations.

In a message posted on X on Tuesday, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family and the people of Bangladesh, saying her leadership and sacrifices would be remembered with respect and praying for peace for her soul.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed immediate condolences, recalling Khaleda Zia’s lifelong dedication to Bangladesh and her contributions to the country’s development and prosperity.

He described her as a sincere friend of Pakistan and said the government and people of Pakistan stood with Bangladesh during this time of grief.

He added that his thoughts were with her family, friends and the people of Bangladesh, and prayed for eternal peace for her soul.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the news of Khaleda Zia’s death in Dhaka. In a post on X, he extended condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh and noted that, as Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, her contributions to national development and to strengthening India-Bangladesh relations would always be remembered.

Modi also recalled a warm meeting with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and expressed hope that her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral partnership.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in a condolence message sent to Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep grief over Khaleda Zia’s passing and conveyed sincere sympathies to the government of Bangladesh and her family on behalf of the Chinese government.

He described her as a senior stateswoman of Bangladesh and an old friend of the Chinese people, noting that during her tenure as prime minister, China and Bangladesh established a comprehensive cooperative partnership based on long term friendship, equality and mutual benefit, leading to significant progress in bilateral relations.

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed deep condolences.

In a message to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Wang Yi recalled Khaleda Zia’s important role in strengthening China-Bangladesh relations and said China highly valued her contributions to advancing bilateral ties.

Diplomatic missions in Dhaka from the United States, France, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United Nations, Iran, Thailand, Sweden, Australia, Bhutan and others also expressed sorrow.

The US Embassy said Khaleda Zia played a significant role in shaping Bangladesh’s modern history and that her leadership contributed notably to the country’s development.

The German Embassy noted her influential role in shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape over a long public life and recalled decades of engagement, including high level meetings in Dhaka and Germany.

The European Union mission said her life and leadership would remain a distinct chapter in Bangladesh’s political history, while the French Embassy highlighted her lasting impact on national life and extended condolences to her family, party and the people of Bangladesh.

The United Nations office in Dhaka expressed deep sorrow, offering condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family and loved ones and reaffirming solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh.

Iran’s Embassy said Khaleda Zia made important contributions to Bangladesh’s political history and that Bangladesh-Iran relations during her tenure were friendly and constructive, built on mutual respect and cooperation.