Politics over a ‘handshake’ in Dhaka: Jaishankar followed diplomatic courtesy, Pakistan called it a big achievement; India set the record straight
Dhaka (The Uttam Hindu): A brief and purely formal interaction between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and a senior Pakistani official in Dhaka has once again triggered political spin from Pakistan. During a condolence event on Wednesday, Jaishankar exchanged a courtesy handshake with the Pakistani official, which Islamabad hurriedly projected as a diplomatic breakthrough and revival of dialogue. India, however, promptly clarified the facts and dismissed Pakistan’s claims as misleading.
The incident took place during the condolence ceremony of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were both present in Dhaka. According to Pakistan’s National Assembly Secretariat, Sadiq was signing the condolence book at Parliament House when diplomats from various countries were present. During this moment, Jaishankar met him briefly and exchanged a handshake as a matter of protocol.
As expected, Pakistan exaggerated this routine diplomatic gesture. In an official statement, the Pakistani secretariat claimed that this was the first significant high-level interaction between India and Pakistan initiated by India since May 2025. The statement further said that Pakistan remains open to dialogue and reiterated calls for joint investigations and peace talks, portraying the handshake as a sign of thawing relations.
India firmly rejected these assertions. Indian officials clarified that the interaction was only a courtesy meeting, conducted strictly in line with diplomatic norms. They emphasized that, given the solemn atmosphere, the External Affairs Minister merely observed basic diplomatic etiquette. India made it clear that interpreting this as the beginning of dialogue is Pakistan’s misconception, reiterating that symbolic gestures should not be misread as policy shifts.