In a guarded response to the arrest of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, India on Monday favoured pursuance of "due process of law and respect for individual rights" there, saying it would contribute to the evolution of "stable, democratic and prosperous" country.

"We have seen reports to this effect (arrest of Zia). We hope that the people of Bangladesh will be enabled to choose their representatives in a free, fair and democratic process," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in Delhi.

"In our view, the early and full restoration of democracy, due process of law and respect for individual rights will contribute to the evolution of a stable, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh," he said.

Sarna was making a statement on Zia's arrest in Dhaka early on Monday morning on graft charges, barely two months after the imprisonment of her arch-rival and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina by the military-backed government.