Indian Minister Initiates Handshake With Pakistan’s NA Speaker in Rare Diplomatic Moment

ISLAMABAD: From a rigid “no-handshake” policy of India to a rare personal gesture, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s handshake with Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka on Wednesday marked a quiet but telling shift in India’s posture toward Pakistan.

The interaction took place during Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s visit to the Parliament of Bangladesh to inscribe remarks in the condolence book for the late Begum Khaleda Zia. According to a press release issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, Jaishankar himself approached the Pakistani speaker, introduced himself, and shook hands — making it the first high-level contact initiated by the Indian side since the May military confrontation.

Speaking to Pakistan’s Geo TV, Sadiq confirmed that Jaishankar approached him in full media glare and exchanged pleasantries.

Responding to a question about being photographed with the Indian minister, he said: “Cameras arrived with them. Our people took the photographs later.”

The gesture stood in contrast to India’s recent policy of deliberate disengagement. In the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir and the subsequent four-day military clash in May, New Delhi adopted a hardline approach that extended even to sports diplomacy. Indian teams repeatedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during matches and also declined to accept the tournament trophy from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing political sensitivities.

Against this backdrop, Jaishankar’s handshake with Pakistan’s National Assembly speaker carried symbolism beyond routine protocol. Pakistani officials say the interaction reflects Islamabad’s consistent emphasis on restraint, dialogue, and diplomatic engagement, including its call for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident.

Though brief, the exchange underscored a striking contrast between India’s public “no-handshake” stance and its conduct at a major international forum, reinforcing Pakistan’s position that principled diplomacy continues to draw recognition despite attempts at isolation.