Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80, as announced by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on December 30, 2025. She had been in critical condition due to multiple health issues and had recently returned from London for advanced treatment. In response to her death, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared a three-day state mourning and a general holiday for her funeral, set for December 31. Zia’s demise occurs against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s political turbulence following the July Uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government, with the upcoming national elections in February 2026 intensifying the political stakes. Her passing significantly impacts the BNP, thrusting her son Tarique Rahman into a central leadership role, as he returns from exile amidst the mourning of a leader who was a resilient figure in Bangladeshi politics. This moment of loss also poses questions about the future of the BNP and its challenge to the ruling Awami League, while regional dynamics, particularly India’s relationship with Bangladesh, may see recalibrations influenced by the changing political landscape.