India-Pakistan relations in Dhaka: 2026 potential revival discussed

On December 31, 2025, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shook hands with Pakistani representative Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka, marking a rare public gesture of diplomacy between the two rivals. The interaction, during former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s funeral ceremony, was seen as a potential thaw in the icy relations between India and Pakistan, which have been strained by political tensions and conflicts. The handshake contrasted with the refusal of Indian cricket teams to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts, underscoring the deep-rooted rivalry between the nations. Despite ongoing tensions and military confrontations, the diplomatic gesture was viewed positively by some analysts as a small step towards normalizing relations.

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