We are often told that in conflict, there is no room for pleasantries. Yet, the image of India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, shaking hands with Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, in Dhaka has captivated the internet.
The immediate reaction from the public was predictable: Is this a thaw? Is peace breaking out? Did policy change overnight?
The Misunderstanding: Civility vs. Strategy
There is a common misconception in both business and geopolitics that treating an opponent with warmth implies a concession. We tend to view a handshake as a signature on a contract. But this binary thinking misses the nuance of high-level leadership.
According to reports, this was a brief exchange during a somber occasion—the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. It wasn't a summit; it was a moment of human acknowledgment. Reading a strategic shift into a moment of politeness is a mistake.
The Shift: The Power of Protocol
My take is that this moment wasn't about politics; it was about class. Dr. Jaishankar is a career diplomat. He understands that you don't compromise your nation's stance by showing basic manners. In fact, you strengthen it.
This aligns deeply with Indian cultural history. In the epic Mahabharata, the concept of Dharma-yuddha (righteous war) laid out strict codes of conduct. Warriors would fight fiercely from sunrise to sunset, but after the sun went down, there were instances where they would visit each other’s camps with respect. The enmity was professional, not personal.
We saw this during the Cold War as well. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev shook hands in Geneva in 1985 while their nations had thousands of nuclear warheads pointed at each other. They didn't agree, but they engaged.Here's a wikimedia sourced photo of JFK shaking hands with Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna in 196
Real-World Application
What does this mean for us in the business world?
- Respect the Competitor: You can fight for market share tooth and nail, but when you meet your competitor at a conference, you buy them a drink. It shows you are secure in your position.
- Separate the Person from the Problem: You can disagree with a colleague's strategy entirely and still treat them with absolute kindness in the hallway.
- Assume Positive Intent: According to sone press stories, Dr. Jaishankar approached the Speaker and introduced himself. He didn't wait to be acknowledged. He took the high road. That is leadership.That is power.
Reflect on this: When was the last time you showed genuine courtesy to someone you fundamentally disagreed with? Let me know in the comments.
Sources: Dawn, Arab News, Associated Press of Pakistan, Hinduism Stack Exchange.
