India and Pakistan to Revive Relations by 2026 in Dhaka

Dhaka Hosts Regional Leaders’ Gathering as Indian Foreign Minister Shakes Hands with Pakistani Representative

A meeting of regional leaders in Dhaka on December 31 saw a notable moment when Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shook hands with Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly. The handshake took place at Bangladesh’s parliament in Dhaka, where Jaishankar was attending a gathering of regional leaders to pay respects to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

According to Sadiq, Jaishankar approached him while he was waiting in a room with diplomats from several South Asian countries. The Indian minister introduced himself and shook hands with Sadiq, who described the interaction as a gesture of respect. Images of the handshake were shared by Sadiq’s office and posted on social media.

The incident has sparked debate about the possibility of India and Pakistan restarting dialogue in 2026. In contrast to recent tensions between the two nations, which have seen sports events and public interactions become increasingly politicized, Jaishankar’s gesture has been viewed as a positive development by some analysts.

In September, Indian men’s cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav and his players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during an Asia Cup match. The incident highlighted the deep-seated tensions between India and Pakistan, which have been exacerbated by recent conflicts over Kashmir and other issues.

The two countries have a long history of antagonism, dating back to their partition in 1947. Relations have deteriorated further in recent years, with both nations accusing each other of aggression and violence. However, some analysts believe that Jaishankar’s handshake may signal a modest thaw in the relationship between the two nations.

The incident has been met with mixed reactions from commentators, but it is clear that the gesture has sparked renewed interest in the possibility of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Source: Al Jazeera