On December 31st, a handshake between the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlights the potential for positive relations between the two countries, which have long endured tensions. 

The handshake between India and Pakistan is a step in the right direction, especially when examining the historical tensions between the two states. The tensions began with the partition of British India in 1947, which created two states and left both fighting over the claim to the region of Kashmir. Since 1947, both India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars and have had numerous violent confrontations. Specifically, in April of 2025, an attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir resulted in the death of 26 civilians, according to Al Jazeera. Following this event, India blamed Pakistan for the killings. Further, it withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty, which regulates the use of six rivers in the Indus basin, which both countries use. A month later, tensions spiked again when both states fought in a four-day aerial war targeting weapons and missile bases. Since this event, tensions have remained incredibly high between the neighbors, with both countries producing harmful rhetoric and even testing ballistic weapons. 

In Dhaka, at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, stated that Jaishankar “walked up to me and said hello, at which I stood up, and he introduced himself and shook hands with a smile. As I was about to introduce myself, he said, ‘Excellency, I recognize who you are and no need to introduce yourself.” This milestone in relations between India and Pakistan can be seen as a hopeful step in the right direction. Additionally, Mustafa Hyder Sayed, a foreign policy analyst, stated that “I think that the interaction between Jaishankar and Ayaz Sadiq is a welcome development for the new year.” While the handshake can be seen as a symbolic gesture of positive future relations, Sardar Masood Khan, a former Pakistani envoy to the U.S., stated that “whatever prompted it is good for the region, but there are many ifs and buts down the road.”

While the handshake in Dhaka is indeed hopeful regarding future relations, the symbolic gesture alone cannot repair years of tension, unresolved disputes, and violence between India and Pakistan. Moments like this can open the door to positive dialogue and communication, but there must be a broader effort to achieve lasting peace. With both sides viewing the other as a security threat rather than a potential partner, there must be a broad reset to gain any sense of peace. This could be started by engaging in formal talks on issues such as repeated skirmishes and conflicts, as well as on agreements to end military escalation. Additionally, minimizing harmful dialogue and displays of force can encourage both sides to take a step toward a more peaceful future. 

Ultimately, the handshake between Indian and Pakistani officials highlights the potential for future relations between the two states. Moving forward, meaningful progress will depend on sustained dialogue, trust-building, and a willingness to overcome past fighting and conflict.