Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed his serious concern regarding the health of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. He also affirmed that India is prepared to provide any help required during this difficult time.
Sharing his message on X, the prime minister wrote that he was deeply saddened to hear about Zia’s deteriorating condition and acknowledged her long contribution to Bangladesh’s public and political life. He added that India’s prayers are with her and that the country is willing to offer every form of assistance possible for her recovery.
Khaleda Zia, who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and is eighty years old, was admitted to a private hospital on November 23 after developing a chest infection that affected both her lungs and her heart. As her health continued to worsen, she was moved to the coronary care unit four days later.
Local media quoted BNP vice-chairman Advocate Ahmed Aazam Khan saying that Zia’s condition had become extremely serious and that she had been placed on ventilator support. Standing outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, he said that the situation had become so critical that there was little left to do except to seek prayers from people across the country.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also stated that Zia remained in a highly fragile condition. He added that doctors from Bangladesh as well as abroad were working together to stabilise her health. According to him, she is battling several long-standing issues including liver and kidney ailments, arthritis, diabetes and other complications.
Earlier this year, Zia returned to Bangladesh after spending four months in London for advanced medical care. Her elder son, Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the BNP, has been residing in London since 2008. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman, passed away earlier this year after suffering a cardiac arrest.
On Sunday, Tarique wrote on Facebook that he may not be able to return to Bangladesh immediately despite his mother’s rapidly worsening condition. His brief message saying that his return was “not entirely” in his hands triggered widespread speculation about possible political or legal barriers preventing him from travelling home.