In a rare and historic moment, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq exchanged greetings and a handshake in Dhaka, marking the first direct interaction between senior officials of the two countries since the brief military conflict in May 2025.
The unexpected encounter took place at the National Parliament Complex in Dhaka, where Ayaz Sadiq had traveled to attend the funeral prayers of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. According to Sadiq, he was seated in a waiting room, speaking with Pakistan’s high commissioner, when Jaishankar suddenly entered, stood in front of him, and said “hello.” A camera team accompanied the Indian minister to document the interaction.
“I had an idea he might be here, but I was not expecting him to come directly to me,”
Ayaz Sadiq told Geo News.
“When I stood up to greet him, he introduced himself and said he already knew me. We exchanged greetings, and he shook hands with the high commissioner as well.”
The handshake has been widely described as symbolic and significant, given that political and diplomatic contacts between Pakistan and India have been largely suspended since the May 2025 conflict, which caused heightened tensions across the region.
Eyewitnesses at the National Parliament Complex said the interaction was cordial, brief, and respectful. Despite the lack of a formal agenda, the moment highlighted the importance of personal diplomacy, signaling that even during tense periods, small gestures like a handshake can open doors for dialogue.
Analysts noted that informal meetings at multilateral or regional events often serve as back-channel communication, allowing leaders to gauge each other’s stance and maintain a minimal level of engagement, even when official talks are frozen.
This meeting also underscores the significance of regional diplomacy in South Asia, where historical conflicts and ongoing disputes often limit direct contact between senior officials. While no official announcements or agreements emerged from the encounter, the handshake in Dhaka is being viewed as a small but positive step in thawing relations, especially in the context of Pakistan-India interactions post-May 2025.
Ayaz Sadiq made it clear that he received no directives from the Pakistani government regarding the interaction, emphasizing that the encounter was entirely spontaneous. The moment, however, reflects the broader principle that dialogue and civility can persist even amid long-standing political tensions.
The Dhaka interaction has attracted attention in both countries and internationally, with analysts, media, and diplomatic observers describing it as historic, rare, and meaningful, particularly given the absence of high-level communication since the brief conflict.
Key Takeaways
- * First face-to-face contact between Pakistan and Indian senior officials since May 2025.
- * Occurred during condolence visits for Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka.
- * Entirely spontaneous, with no prior government instructions.
- * Marks a symbolic step for dialogue amid tense Pakistan-India relations.
- * Highlights the role of personal diplomacy and informal engagement in South Asia.