The brief interaction occurred ahead of the state funeral for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died on December 30 after a prolonged illness.
Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat claimed Jaishankar approached Sadiq, saying, "I recognise you," before extending his hand. Photos shared by Bangladesh's interim government chief Muhammad Yunus showed the two leaders smiling during the exchange.
Delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and others attended the ceremony at the national parliament. The encounter stands out against strained ties following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based groups; Islamabad denied involvement.
Tensions escalated into Operation Sindoor—Indian strikes on alleged militant sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir starting May 7. Pakistan retaliated, leading to four days of missile and drone exchanges before a May 10 ceasefire. Relations froze afterward: India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled diplomats, and halted trade. Cricket teams refused handshakes at the Asia Cup.
Pakistani analysts view the Dhaka moment as a potential thaw, signaling basic diplomatic courtesy. Islamabad-based expert Mustafa Haider Syed called it a "positive step," noting even handshakes had vanished post-conflict. Indian observers downplay it as routine protocol when leaders share space. Deep bitterness from the war makes rapid normalization unlikely, with official channels stalled.
Neither government issued formal statements on the handshake. Jaishankar delivered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolences to Zia's son. The gesture offers a rare glimpse of civility amid enduring rivalry.
