Jaishankar’s visit should focus on Khaleda’s funeral, not bilateral 'politics', says Advisor Touhid

He says everyone will naturally participate in Khaleda Zia’s last rites and that the visit should be viewed in that light

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has urged observers not to read diplomacy into Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s Dhaka visit, saying it should be seen solely as a condolence call to attend former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s funeral.

“It would be inappropriate to interpret this visit through the lens of inter-state relations or politics,” Touhid told reporters on Thursday.He remarked that Khaleda commanded respect beyond Bangladesh and that participation in her last rites was “natural”.

He emphasised her unique acceptance and respect among the Bangladeshi people, noting that “neighbouring countries acknowledge her stature, and all of South Asia recognises it”.

Touhid's statement comes amid cooler Dhaka-Delhi ties following visits and condolence messages from senior Indian leaders.

Dhaka and Delhi have traded accusations and seen public protests since last year when the Awami League government was toppled on Aug 5.

Diplomatic missions of both countries were targeted, with attacks and vandalism reported at Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi diplomatic posts in India, souring relations in recent months.

Relations deteriorated to the point that some visa services were suspended. Tensions escalated after attacks on minorities, particularly in Bangladesh, with both countries trading scathing remarks in public forums.

The Indian Express, in an article, interpreted Delhi’s gesture as a strategic outreach to the new leadership of the BNP. The article noted that the BNP is poised to play a leading role in Bangladesh’s political landscape in the coming months.

“This signals India’s direct messaging to the new players in the political arena, who are expected to play key roles in Dhaka’s post poll power structure,” the report said.

For Bangladesh, the renewed engagement is being seen as both symbolic and strategic, signalling India’s willingness to engage with future leadership.

Besides Jaishankar, many South Asian dignitaries including Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited Dhaka to pay tribute to Khaleda.

Indian media, however, noted that there was no meeting between Jaishankar and interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, who met Ayaz Sadiq, and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma.

India's condolence outreach seeks to ease Dhaka tensions