Editing History of Bangladesh (section)

====Khaleda administration (2001–2006)====
[[File:LulaZia.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Khaleda Zia]], Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, with President Lula of Brazil, during her second term]]
Following the [[September 11 attacks]], the government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia allowed the United States to use Bangladeshi airports and airspace for combat operations in Afghanistan. Bangladesh was also quick to respond to relief efforts in Afghanistan after the overthrow of the Taliban, with BRAC becoming the largest development agency in the war-torn country. The United States praised Bangladesh as an "elegant, compelling and greatly needed voice of moderation" in the [[Muslim world]].<ref name="bbc">
{{cite news |title=Powell praises Bangladesh |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3003010.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526204526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3003010.stm |archive-date=26 May 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref> Khaleda Zia also developed a strategic partnership with China and signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Beijing.<ref name="southasiaanalysis">
{{cite web |url=http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/paper582 |title=Bangladesh-China Defence Co-Operation Agreement's Strategic Implications: An Analysis |website=South Asia Analysis Group |access-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212053504/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/paper582 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=usurped}}
</ref>

Despite her August 2001 pledge and all election monitoring groups declaring the election free and fair, Sheikh Hasina condemned the last election, rejected the results, and boycotted Parliament. In 2002, however, she led her party legislators back to Parliament, but the Awami League again walked out in June 2003 to protest derogatory remarks about Hasina by a State Minister and the allegedly partisan role of the Parliamentary Speaker. In June 2004, the AL returned to Parliament without having any of their demands met. They then attended Parliament irregularly before announcing a boycott of the entire June 2005 budget session.

Khaleda Zia's administration was marked by improved economic growth, corruption allegations and growing rifts between the country's secular and conservative forces. A series of high-profile assassinations targeted the Awami League-led opposition. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped an [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack|assassination attempt]] in 2004. The Jamaatul Mujahadeen Bangladesh launched several terrorist attacks in 2005. The League accused the BNP and Jamaat of having complicity in the rise of militancy. Relations with neighbouring India deteriorated over allegations that Bangladeshi territory was allowed to be used by Northeast Indian insurgents.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}