In a move that underscores the persistently strained relations between India and Pakistan, Islamabad is attempting to amplify a seemingly innocuous handshake between its National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Dhaka. The encounter, a brief courtesy exchange, occurred on the sidelines of the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Pakistan is now attempting to use this interaction as a springboard for renewed dialogue, urging restraint to prevent further escalation between the two nations.
Tensions between the two countries have been high, particularly after the deadly Pahalgam attack earlier this year, in which 26 civilians were killed. India responded with "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, 2025, targeting what it claimed were terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies.
According to a press release by Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat, Pakistan has consistently emphasized dialogue, restraint, and cooperative measures since the Pahalgam attack, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations. The Secretariat also claimed that Jaishankar was the one to approach Sadiq during the event.
India, however, remains firm on its stance that dialogue cannot coexist with terrorism. Following the Pahalgam attack, New Delhi initiated a series of diplomatic and strategic measures to safeguard national security. These measures included scaling down diplomatic engagement and suspending participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank. India views verifiable action against terrorism as a prerequisite for any meaningful engagement with Pakistan.
The amplified importance Pakistan is giving to the handshake reflects a sense of desperation amidst ongoing tensions. Relations between the two nations have been complex and largely hostile since their independence in 1947, marked by wars and border skirmishes. The situation remains tense, with India emphasizing the need for a terrorism-free environment before any engagement can occur. India has maintained that any attempts to alter Pakistan's Indus River flows would be considered an act of aggression.
While Pakistan seeks to de-escalate through dialogue, India's position remains unchanged. The country insists that it will not engage in talks until Pakistan takes concrete steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent cross-border attacks. This firm stance is a reflection of India's commitment to protecting its national security and maintaining regional stability.
The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with concerns about the potential for further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
