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Government sources said Pakistan’s subsequent press statement amounted to “hostility during funeral diplomacy” and violated the most basic norms of diplomatic conduct.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka.
Top government sources criticised Pakistan for issuing what they described as a hostile and “ungraceful” press statement during a funeral-related engagement in Dhaka, saying Islamabad violated basic diplomatic norms by turning a moment of mourning into an opportunity for antagonism.
Government sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistan’s conduct stood in sharp contrast to India’s restraint and highlighted a recurring pattern in which Islamabad projects the language of peace internationally while adopting a hostile tone in official statements.
The remarks came after a brief interaction in Dhaka between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Dr. Jaishankar met Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka on Wednesday ahead of the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, marking the first high-profile interaction between India and Pakistan since Operation Sindoor earlier this year. The interaction took place on the sidelines of Khaleda Zia’s funeral and was attended by several foreign ministers and senior dignitaries from different countries. Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus shared photographs of the brief exchange on social media.
“Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, exchanges greetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Dhaka on Wednesday ahead of the funeral programme of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia,” Muhammad Yunus wrote, along with the images.
India Calls Exchange Courteous
Top government sources said Jaishankar had personally approached the Pakistan Speaker during the condolence visit, introduced himself and acknowledged that he was familiar with Sadiq’s public standing. The exchange, they said, was incidental, courteous and strictly in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion.
Indian government sources said Pakistan’s subsequent press statement amounted to “hostility during funeral diplomacy” and violated the most basic norms of diplomatic conduct.
“At a moment of mourning, Pakistan’s press statement contrasts sharply with India’s restraint,” a senior source said, adding, “Reducing a condolence engagement to an opportunity for hostility is neither graceful nor appropriate.”
The sources added that the episode reflected a broader pattern.
“Pakistan consistently speaks of peace, dialogue and restraint on international platforms, but its official statements often tell a different story,” the source said.
Indian officials also pointed out that Pakistan has in the past publicly advocated dialogue and even offered joint investigations into incidents such as the Pahalgam attack, while simultaneously issuing statements that heighten tensions.
Government sources underlined that India deliberately avoided politicising a solemn occasion and adhered to diplomatic protocol.
“This was not a formal bilateral meeting. It was a brief exchange during a condolence visit,” a source said, asserting, “India respected the moment. Pakistan chose otherwise.”
Delhi, India, India
December 31, 2025, 7:16 PM IST
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