Sun Jan 04 12:28:07 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article based on the information provided:

Summary:

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has publicly acknowledged and appreciated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condolence message following the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended Zia’s funeral and delivered Modi’s message to Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, a leading candidate for Prime Minister in the upcoming February elections. The BNP acknowledged Zia’s contributions to India-Bangladesh relations. This comes at a time when relations between the two countries are strained following a change in government in Bangladesh, with India expressing concerns about the treatment of minorities.

News Article:

BNP Praises Modi’s Condolences Amid Strained India-Bangladesh Relations

Dhaka – January 4, 2026 – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has publicly thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his message of condolence following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The BNP acknowledged Zia’s contribution to India-Bangladesh relations in a social media post on Saturday.

“We sincerely appreciate your message of condolence and remembrance, Honourable @narendramodi. Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh–India relations will be remembered,” the BNP stated.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at Zia’s funeral on December 31st, conveying Modi’s condolences to Tarique Rahman, Zia’s son and acting chairman of the BNP. Rahman is considered a front-runner in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12th. Jaishankar reportedly expressed confidence that Zia’s “vision and values” would continue to guide the partnership between the two nations.

This gesture of goodwill comes at a crucial time, as relations between India and Bangladesh have reportedly become strained since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina Government in 2024 and the rise of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. India has voiced concerns over reported attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, within Bangladesh.

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