NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq briefly meets Indian FM Jaishankar in Dhaka

Dhaka: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq briefly met Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday during the state funeral of former Bangladeshi prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.

According to sources, the two exchanged a handshake after Jaishankar approached the speaker and introduced himself. Ayaz Sadiq responded briefly, and the interaction took place in the Parliament of Bangladesh in the presence of foreign ministers and high-level delegations from several countries.

The encounter is being seen as the first notable high-level contact initiated by the Indian side following the Pakistan–India military escalation in May 2025. Observers say the brief interaction reflected Pakistan’s parliamentary presence and diplomatic engagement at an important international gathering.

Pakistan has consistently called for restraint, dialogue and cooperation, urging peace talks and joint investigations into the alleged Pahalgam incident to prevent further escalation between the two neighbours.

Earlier, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq was received in Dhaka by Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider. He visited the residence of the late Begum Khaleda Zia, where he met her son Tarique Rahman and her daughter, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the prime minister, parliament, government, the army chief and the people of Pakistan.

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The speaker expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s passing, saying her services for the welfare and progress of the people of Bangladesh would be remembered with respect. He also paid tribute to her role in strengthening Pakistan–Bangladesh relations during her tenure as prime minister.

During his visit, Ayaz Sadiq also met Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalil ur Rehman, Adviser on Law and Justice Asif Nazrul and Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, discussing bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

Later, the speaker attended the state funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia and prayed for her eternal peace and for strength for the bereaved family and the people of Bangladesh.