Bangladesh's First Woman PM Khaleda Zia Dies; India Extends Condolences
Bangladesh mourns former PM Khaleda Zia; India's EAM to attend funeral, signaling diplomatic outreach.
Photo by Defrino Maasy
Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, passed away at 80 after a prolonged illness. A three-time PM, Zia played a significant role in restoring democracy after military rule and dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences, and External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar will attend her funeral. This diplomatic gesture signals India's continued outreach to Bangladesh's new political establishment, especially as the nation navigates a political transition without Zia or her rival Sheikh Hasina participating in the upcoming elections. This event highlights the enduring importance of India-Bangladesh bilateral relations and regional stability.
मुख्य तथ्य
Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister
She was a three-time Prime Minister
She died at the age of 80
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its practical application in diplomatic outreach.
Geopolitical significance of Bangladesh for India's regional stability and connectivity initiatives.
Evolution of democratic processes and challenges in South Asian nations, with Bangladesh as a case study.
Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh: historical context, current issues (border, water sharing, trade, security), and future prospects.
Role of political leadership and dynasties in South Asian politics.
दृश्य सामग्री
India-Bangladesh: A Strategic Neighborhood
This map illustrates the geographical proximity and key connectivity points between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the strategic importance of bilateral relations for regional stability, especially in the context of India's Northeast.
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Key Milestones: Khaleda Zia's Era & India-Bangladesh Relations
This timeline contextualizes Khaleda Zia's political career within the broader history of India-Bangladesh relations, highlighting significant events that shaped the bilateral ties and Bangladesh's democratic journey.
The relationship between India and Bangladesh is deeply rooted in the 1971 Liberation War. While initial camaraderie was strong, relations have seen periods of both cooperation and strain. Khaleda Zia's political career, marked by periods of democratic rule and opposition, significantly influenced Bangladesh's internal dynamics and its foreign policy, including towards India. India's diplomatic gesture upon her passing underscores the enduring importance of bilateral ties, irrespective of internal political transitions in Bangladesh.
- 1971Bangladesh Liberation War (India's pivotal support)
- 1972India-Bangladesh Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace
- 1991Khaleda Zia becomes Bangladesh's first woman PM (First Term)
- 1996Khaleda Zia's Second Term as PM
- 2001Khaleda Zia's Third Term as PM
- 2006End of Khaleda Zia's last term, political instability ensues
- 2014India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy launched, prioritizing Bangladesh
- 2015Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) ratified, resolving long-standing border disputes
- 2021Maitri Setu inaugurated; India's 'Vaccine Maitri' support during COVID-19
- 2024Discussions on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) intensify
- 2025Khaleda Zia passes away; India extends condolences, EAM attends funeral
और जानकारी
पृष्ठभूमि
Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was a pivotal figure in the country's political landscape. Her political career began after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She led the movement to restore democracy after years of military rule, eventually becoming Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister.
Her political career was marked by a fierce rivalry with Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League, defining Bangladeshi politics for decades. India played a crucial role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, establishing a deep historical and strategic bond between the two nations.
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
The passing of Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. India's swift and high-level condolences, including the External Affairs Minister's attendance at the funeral, signify a deliberate diplomatic outreach.
This gesture is particularly important as Bangladesh navigates a political transition, with both Zia and Hasina not participating in the upcoming elections, potentially leading to a new political establishment. This event underscores the enduring importance of India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, regional stability, and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the political history of Bangladesh and its relations with India: 1. Khaleda Zia was the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a key figure in restoring multi-party democracy after military rule. 2. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was founded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Sheikh Hasina. 3. The Farakka Barrage issue, concerning water sharing of the Ganges River, has been a significant point of discussion in India-Bangladesh bilateral relations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct. Khaleda Zia was indeed the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and played a crucial role in the movement to restore democracy after military rule. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was founded by Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia's husband, not Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded the Awami League. Statement 3 is correct. The Farakka Barrage issue, concerning the sharing of Ganges River water, has historically been a major and sensitive topic in India-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
2. In the context of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its engagement with Bangladesh, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statement A is correct. 'Neighbourhood First' policy indeed emphasizes peaceful resolution of disputes and enhanced connectivity. Statement B is correct. India has historically supported Bangladesh's democratic journey. Statement D is correct. India and Bangladesh are active participants in the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative, particularly the Motor Vehicle Agreement, aimed at improving regional connectivity. Statement C is NOT correct. The Teesta River water-sharing agreement has not been fully implemented due to political complexities, particularly objections from the West Bengal government in India, and remains a significant unresolved issue in India-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
3. Consider the following pairs: 1. Bangladesh Liberation War : Operation Searchlight 2. India-Bangladesh Border : Tin Bigha Corridor 3. Regional Grouping : Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Pair 1 is correctly matched. 'Operation Searchlight' was a planned military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) on March 25, 1971, to curb the Bengali nationalist movement, which directly led to the Bangladesh Liberation War. Pair 2 is correctly matched. The Tin Bigha Corridor is a strip of land belonging to India on the West Bengal-Bangladesh border, which was leased to Bangladesh to provide access to its enclave of Dahagram-Angarpota. Pair 3 is correctly matched. BIMSTEC is indeed a regional grouping that includes Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal, focusing on multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.