Dhaka, Dec 31 (V7N) — Nepalese Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday night (December 30) to pay his last respects to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari and Foreign Ministry Secretary (Intergovernmental Organizations and Consular Affairs) M Farhadul Islam.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit reflects Nepal’s deep respect for the late leader and acknowledges her significant contribution to strengthening Nepal–Bangladesh relations, particularly during her third term as Prime Minister.

According to the release, the Nepalese Foreign Minister will return to Kathmandu on Thursday (January 1) after attending the funeral.

Meanwhile, several foreign dignitaries have arrived in Dhaka to pay their final respects to Khaleda Zia. Among them are Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Pakistani Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and representatives from multiple countries.

The funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban grounds and Manik Mia Avenue at 2:00 pm on Wednesday (December 31). She will later be laid to rest with full state honours beside the grave of her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.

Following her death, the interim government has declared three days of state mourning, while Wednesday has been announced as a one-day general holiday.

END/SMA/AJ