Ayaz Sadiq calls handshake with India’s Jaishankar in Dhaka ‘surprising’

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has described his recent handshake with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as “surprising” while briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his visit to Bangladesh, officials said on Monday.

The interaction took place in Dhaka ahead of the last rites of former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia and marked a rare direct contact with an Indian minister since the conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025.

The NA speaker met Prime Minister Shehbaz at the National Assembly to provide a detailed account of his diplomatic trip, which he described as “extremely constructive and positive.” He told the premier that his meetings with Bangladeshi leaders, including the chief adviser, senior ministers and other officials, were highly pleasant and productive.

Sadiq also briefed the prime minister on his meetings with Khaleda Zia’s family members, including her son and close relatives, highlighting the cordial nature of the interactions.

During the briefing, the NA speaker recounted the moment when Indian foreign minister Jaishankar approached him, introduced himself and shook his hand. Sadiq said the gesture appeared “well-prepared and carefully planned,” adding that it drew significant attention from those present.

Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Sadiq on the successful visit and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh across all fields. He stressed the importance of enhancing parliamentary contacts, calling such engagements essential for long-term cooperation.

India’s move was seen as its first high-level contact with Pakistan since the 87-hour conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in May, when senior officials from both sides were present in Bangladesh.

Speaking separately to a current affairs television programme, Sadiq said he sensed that all eyes were on the interaction. He described Jaishankar as a shrewd politician who understood the optics and significance of the moment.

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The encounter is notable given the strained relations between Pakistan and India following the May 2025 crisis, which erupted after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir killed 26 tourists. Pakistan denied involvement and called for a neutral probe. The confrontation ended after a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10, 2025.

Political tensions also spilled onto the sports field during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistani players despite meeting three times during the tournament, including in the final.