DHAKA – India has taken its first significant step toward high-level engagement with Pakistan since the 87-hour conflict in May 2025, as Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of condolences for the late Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, who passed away at 80. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and thousands of security personnel lined Dhaka’s streets during the funeral procession.
According to Pakistan’s National Assembly, Jaishankar personally introduced himself to Speaker Sadiq and acknowledged him, marking the first official contact between the two sides since the war.
Background of Tensions
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the May 2025 hostilities, which involved fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery strikes, resulting in casualties on both sides. India launched retaliatory strikes following an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam, blaming Islamabad—a claim Pakistan has denied, calling instead for an impartial investigation.
Following the conflict, Pakistan reported shooting down seven Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, while India acknowledged some losses but denied the reported figures. Political tensions also spilled over into sports, with reports of Indian cricketers refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
Pakistan’s Response and Continued Diplomacy
The NA highlighted Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for dialogue, restraint, and cooperative measures, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations into the Pahalgam incident, aiming to prevent unprovoked aggression and escalation.
During his visit, Speaker Sadiq also paid respects at Zia’s residence, meeting her children Tarique Rahman and his sister. He extended condolences on behalf of Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister and conferred with Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman.
Officials emphasized that the encounter between Jaishankar and Sadiq, though brief, represented a cautious but important diplomatic step toward restoring channels of communication after months of heightened regional tensions.
