India-Born ‘Putul’ Khaleda Zia: The Politician Who Defied Delhi And Backed Pakistan

Dhaka/New Delhi: A chapter of Bangladesh’s political history came to a close today (December 30, 2025). Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was one of the most influential faces of Dhaka’s politics for decades, passed away this morning. She breathed her last shortly after offering the Fajr (pre-dawn) prayers. She was 80. Born in India and lovingly called ‘Putul’ in her early years, she went on to build a political career that often stood in direct opposition to India. Her death comes at a sensitive time for Bangladesh, which is grappling with political uncertainty, rising extremism and violence, with national…