New Delhi: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will attend the funeral of Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Wednesday, according to a foreign ministry statement.

“Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and President of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He will therefore visit Dhaka on December 31, 2025,” the statement said.

Begum Khaleda Zia died today early morning at the age of 80, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
According to a BNP statement on Facebook, Zia died around 6 a.m. (local time), shortly after the Fajr prayer. “Khaleda Zia died around 6 a.m., just after Fajr prayers,” the BNP statement said.

“We pray for the eternal peace of his soul and ask everyone to pray for his departed soul,” the text adds.

Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital Dhaka on November 23 for a lung infection. The former prime minister has long suffered from various physical illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney complications, and earlier this month she was sent to London for advanced medical treatment for her illnesses.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness over the demise of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairman, extending condolences to his family and the people of Bangladesh. In an article on

“Deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Prime Minister and BNP President Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our deepest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss,” the Prime Minister said.

World leaders on Tuesday continued to express their condolences over the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairwoman Begum Khaleda Zia, remembering her as a prominent democratic leader in her country.

Nepal’s Acting Prime Minister Sushila Karki said she was “deeply saddened” by the death of Khaleda Zia and offered condolences, on behalf of the government and people of Nepal, to her family and the people of Bangladesh.

“Begum Zia leaves behind a lifelong legacy of public service, with her enduring leadership marking a historic chapter in her country’s democratic journey,” Karki said in an article on

Khaleda Zia, a dominant figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape, played a pivotal role in the restoration of democracy after military rule. As the country’s first female prime minister, she played a crucial role in unifying the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during turbulent times.

Despite significant contributions, Zia’s tenure was marked by complex relations between India and Bangladesh. Allegations of support for Northeast insurgents strained ties, particularly during his second term, when alliances with Jamaat-e-Islami drew criticism from India on security grounds.

Zia’s legacy is highlighted by his leadership in the peaceful transition from dictatorship. However, his passing leaves the BNP at a crossroads, with his son Tarique Rahman set to lead the party amid ongoing electoral challenges.

(With input from agencies.)

MIAMI — Nuggets star Nikola Jokic limped off the court at halftime of Denver’s 147-123 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night after injuring his left knee about three seconds before intermission.

He was not on the field in the second half and will have an MRI on Tuesday.

“Immediately he knew something was wrong,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after the game. “Hey, that’s part of the NBA. Anyone who gets hurt in this game, it’s a little heartbreaking, especially someone as special as him. We’ll know more tomorrow. We’ll move forward as a team. Obviously, right now, I’m more concerned about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like this.”

Jokic was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver’s Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to expire in the second quarter. While reversing, Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot and it appeared the center’s knee bent a bit.

Jokic collapsed on the court, grabbing his knee. He was helped to his feet, then made his way to the locker room under his own power but with a pronounced limp. He was evaluated by doctors Monday night before leaving the arena, and the Nuggets were scheduled to fly to Toronto on Tuesday for a game against the Raptors on Wednesday.

“It’s just part of this process,” Adelman said. “You don’t get definitive answers right after these things happen. I know he’s an extremely special player that people want updates on immediately; that makes perfect sense to me. But we will follow the process properly, for him and for our team.”

The Nuggets have faced major injury issues this season and were playing Monday without three potential contenders: Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring sprain) and Cameron Johnson (right knee injury management).

Denver has managed to fight its way through these injuries – thanks in large part to Jokic.

“The things he’s doing this year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before Monday’s game, “are really remarkable.”

Jokic had 21 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half on Monday. If he sits out for any length of time, it will be a major blow to Denver and, in some ways, the entire NBA, given that he is one of the game’s superstars. Even a month’s absence would mean about 16 games, which could have a serious impact on Denver’s standing in a loaded Western Conference.

“Tonight my mind is going to wander,” Adelman said. “And there will be questions about what we should do in the future if he is out for a while or a long period of time.”

Jokic is a three-time MVP and was certainly early in the MVP conversation this season, having started Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists – on track to average a triple-double for the second straight campaign.

“He’s not only a big part of what we do, but almost everything we do,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said. “We just want to see him healthy, and everyone here is ready to step up.”

Jokic has also been remarkably durable. He has missed 36 games over the past five seasons; the Nuggets went 13-23 during those absences. He played in all 32 games for Denver this season.

“I hope for the best,” Adelman said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.