Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka on Wednesday, exchanging cordial greetings ahead of the funeral of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia.

The meeting took place at Khaleda Zia’s residence shortly before her funeral, which was scheduled at 3:00 pm on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and Manik Mia Avenue.

Begum Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, passed away on Tuesday, 30 December, at the age of 80. Both Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and S. Jaishankar had arrived in Dhaka to pay their last respects to the late leader.

During the brief meeting, Jaishankar and Ayaz Sadiq shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. A photograph of the encounter was shared on X by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, captioned: “Ahead of the funeral of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Wednesday, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq exchanges greetings with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Dhaka.”

This meeting marks a rare encounter between top officials of the neighbouring countries following a four-day conflict in May this year between India and Pakistan. 

The conflict erupted after India accused Pakistan of a terrorist attack in Pehalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, a claim repeatedly denied by Pakistan. India subsequently launched retaliatory strikes, which were met with counterattacks by Pakistan. 

A ceasefire was later brokered through US mediation.

Sources: Geo News, The Telegraph, India