Dhaka witnessed an emotional farewell as former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was laid to rest on Wednesday with full state honours beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Thousands gathered to mourn the three-time PM, who died Tuesday at age 80 after a long illness. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the funeral. He personally handed a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zia's son and BNP acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman. Modi wrote, "While Zia's passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure. I am confident her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh." Zia’s coffin, draped with the national flag, traveled in a convoy from her residence. Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus and Tarique joined the funeral prayers at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament Building). Senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, and several other countries attended as well. On arrival in Dhaka, Jaishankar met Tarique, who recently returned to Bangladesh after over 17 years in exile ahead of the February 12 election. "Handed over to him a personal letter from PM Narendra Modi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the govt and people of India," Jaishankar wrote on X. Outside the parliament complex, thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects, with BNP supporters carrying flags bearing Zia’s image. Before the funeral prayers, Tarique urged the crowd, "Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven." Funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza) were led by Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader. Senior BNP member Nazrul Islam Khan read out Zia’s biography. Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said the two countries would look forward to writing a new chapter in their relationship. Representatives from 33 countries, including ambassadors and heads of international organizations stationed in Dhaka, attended the funeral prayers.