The Indian parliament on Wednesday paid tribute to former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia on the first day of the Budget Session 2026-27.

Following the commencement of the session with the president addressing the joint sitting of both the Houses, the Houses held obituary references to the passing away of former MPs L Ganesan and Suresh Kalmadi, along with Khaleda Zia.

The Lok Sabha, the lower House, also paid tribute to former MPs Shalini Patil, Bhanu Prakash Mirdha, Satyendra Nath Brohmo Chaudhury, Suresh Kalmadi, and Kabindra Purkayastha.

The tribute to Khaleda Zia comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are going through a strained relationship.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and former chairperson of the BNP, passed away in Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness.

Her death came at a time when Bangladesh is going through a political turmoil, with elections scheduled on 12 February.

On the day of her death, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences.

In his message, Modi highlighted her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations.

Sharing pictures of his meeting with Khaleda Zia in 2015, Modi said that her vision and legacy will continue to guide the India-Bangladesh partnership.

However, the Indian prime minister had also extended India's support and wished Khaleda Zia a quick recovery when she became critical last year.