Fri Jan 02 05:48:55 UTC 2026: Here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
Unexpected Handshake Sparks Hope for India-Pakistan Dialogue in 2026
Dhaka, Bangladesh – A seemingly simple handshake between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at a funeral in Dhaka on December 31st, 2025, has ignited speculation about a possible thaw in relations between the traditionally hostile neighbors, India and Pakistan.
The gesture, which took place in the presence of diplomats from several South Asian countries, stands in stark contrast to recent tensions, including a refusal by Indian cricketers to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts and a bitter aerial conflict in May. Relations plummeted after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir and India’s subsequent withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty.
While some Indian commentators downplayed the handshake’s significance, Pakistani analysts saw it as a potentially positive sign. The interaction comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, with Pakistan seemingly gaining diplomatic momentum and India facing pressure from the US. Some experts suggest that a return to the Indus Waters Treaty or the re-establishment of back-channel communications could be crucial steps toward de-escalation and future dialogue. Whether this handshake will translate into concrete steps towards reconciliation remains to be seen, but it has at least opened the door to the possibility of a more constructive engagement in 2026.
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