Handshake in Dhaka: A Diplomatic Gesture Raises Questions About India–Pakistan Ties in 2026

A brief handshake in Dhaka between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has triggered fresh debate over whether South Asia’s most strained bilateral relationship could see even a modest reset in 2026. The encounter, captured on camera during an international gathering in Bangladesh, stood out precisely because such public gestures between Indian and Pakistani officials have become exceedingly rare.

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A Moment That Drew Attention

The interaction took place on December 31, 2025, on the sidelines of a memorial event in Dhaka attended by several South Asian leaders. According to Sadiq, Jaishankar approached him in a waiting area at Bangladesh’s parliament, exchanged greetings and shook hands in full view of other regional delegations. Images of the moment were later shared by Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials on social media.

While no official statement was issued by New Delhi, the visual symbolism was hard to miss. It contrasted sharply with recent scenes in sports and diplomacy, where visible engagement between the two countries has often been avoided amid heightened tensions.

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Why the Gesture Matters

Relations between India and Pakistan have been frozen for years, punctuated by periodic crises. The most serious escalation came in May 2025, when the two nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in a four-day aerial confrontation involving drones and missiles. Although both sides later stepped back, the episode deepened mistrust and reinforced a cycle of retaliation.

Against this backdrop, analysts say even a routine diplomatic courtesy can attract outsized attention. Some voices in Pakistan described the handshake as a sign of basic diplomatic normalcy returning after months of hostility. Others, particularly in India, cautioned against reading too much into an unscripted exchange at a multilateral event.

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A Relationship Marked by Conflict

India–Pakistan relations have been shaped by decades of rivalry since Partition in 1947, including multiple wars and frequent standoffs. In recent years, dialogue has all but collapsed. New Delhi has repeatedly said talks cannot resume unless Pakistan acts against militant groups it accuses of targeting India — a charge Islamabad denies, while countering with allegations of Indian interference.

The April 2025 attack on civilians in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, marked another low point. India blamed Pakistan-based elements, a claim Pakistan rejected. Soon after, New Delhi announced it was putting the Indus Waters Treaty — a six-decade-old water-sharing agreement — in abeyance, a move Islamabad called a direct threat to its water security.

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The Indus Waters Treaty: A Key Fault Line

Many experts argue that the future of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could determine whether any thaw is possible. Pakistan relies heavily on rivers governed by the pact, and its suspension has added a new, potentially permanent layer of tension.

Former diplomats in Islamabad say a return to the treaty framework would be a powerful confidence-building step. Indian analysts, however, note that New Delhi’s decision reflects a broader hardening of policy and is unlikely to be reversed without major changes on the security front.

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Regional and Global Context

The Dhaka encounter also unfolded amid shifting regional dynamics. Pakistan has sought to reassert itself diplomatically, strengthening ties with the United States, China and key Middle Eastern partners. India, meanwhile, has faced friction with Washington following the 2025 crisis and subsequent trade measures imposed by the US.

Bangladesh itself was an unlikely venue for such symbolism, given its own history with Pakistan and India’s role in its 1971 independence. That the gesture occurred there has added to speculation about quiet diplomatic recalibration across South Asia.

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Cautious Optimism, Deep Skepticism

Some foreign policy experts argue that both countries have a shared interest in establishing minimal guardrails — basic communication channels to manage crises and avoid miscalculation. Others remain sceptical, pointing out that no structured dialogue has existed since the 2008 Mumbai attacks and that trust deficits have only widened since then.

Indian commentators have largely downplayed the handshake, describing it as routine courtesy rather than policy shift. The absence of official Indian imagery or statements has reinforced that view.

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What 2026 Could Hold

Whether the Dhaka handshake becomes a footnote or a precursor to limited engagement will depend on choices made in New Delhi and Islamabad in the months ahead. Analysts say back-channel communication, particularly on security issues, would be a necessary first step before any public rapprochement.

For now, the moment remains symbolic — a reminder that even in the depths of hostility, diplomacy has not entirely disappeared.