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AMRITSAR: The established protocol for the exchange of sweets between the border guarding forces of India and Pakistan on various religious and national significance days seems to have diminished.
During the celebration of the Eid festival on June 29, 2023, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers engaged in the customary exchange of sweets and warm greetings at the Attari international border while expressing hopes for a prosperous future for their respective nations.
However, in a notable contrast, the Pakistani Rangers didn’t turn up at the Zero Line on the occasion of Diwali on November 12, 2023, for a customer exchange of greeting to their Indian counterparts.
Expressing ignorance, a senior BSF official who didn’t wish to be quoted said “It is seemingly a decision made by the Pakistan Rangers, who appear to deviate from established border customs and predominantly act based on their whims and fancies” adding that “At least they should have the courtesy to exchange greetings as we did on the festival of Eid”.
Notably, the border guarding forces of both countries exchange sweets on occasions including Diwali, Eid, Independence Day’s, India’s Republic day , Holi at the three internatioal borders in Punjab including Attari, Sadqi and Hussaniwala .
It was in the year 2015, when the customary exchange of sweets and pleasantries did not take place during the Eid festival, as the Pakistan Rangers did not turn up at the Zero Line to continue with the tradition, a pattern observed since the Eid ul Zuha in October 2014.
However, diplomatic efforts later led to an improvement in strained relations with Pakistan. Consequently, the border guarding forces resumed the tradition, resulting in the exchange of sweets on Independence Day and the Holi festival in 2016. However, within the same year, the BSF declined to exchange sweets with the Pakistan Rangers during Diwali, following the Indian army’s surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“This development is concerning, given the imperative for both forces to maintain positive working relations at the border. However, it is important to acknowledge that such interactions can be influenced by the hostile actions of neighboring forces” said the source.
During the celebration of the Eid festival on June 29, 2023, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers engaged in the customary exchange of sweets and warm greetings at the Attari international border while expressing hopes for a prosperous future for their respective nations.
However, in a notable contrast, the Pakistani Rangers didn’t turn up at the Zero Line on the occasion of Diwali on November 12, 2023, for a customer exchange of greeting to their Indian counterparts.
Expressing ignorance, a senior BSF official who didn’t wish to be quoted said “It is seemingly a decision made by the Pakistan Rangers, who appear to deviate from established border customs and predominantly act based on their whims and fancies” adding that “At least they should have the courtesy to exchange greetings as we did on the festival of Eid”.
Notably, the border guarding forces of both countries exchange sweets on occasions including Diwali, Eid, Independence Day’s, India’s Republic day , Holi at the three internatioal borders in Punjab including Attari, Sadqi and Hussaniwala .
It was in the year 2015, when the customary exchange of sweets and pleasantries did not take place during the Eid festival, as the Pakistan Rangers did not turn up at the Zero Line to continue with the tradition, a pattern observed since the Eid ul Zuha in October 2014.
However, diplomatic efforts later led to an improvement in strained relations with Pakistan. Consequently, the border guarding forces resumed the tradition, resulting in the exchange of sweets on Independence Day and the Holi festival in 2016. However, within the same year, the BSF declined to exchange sweets with the Pakistan Rangers during Diwali, following the Indian army’s surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“This development is concerning, given the imperative for both forces to maintain positive working relations at the border. However, it is important to acknowledge that such interactions can be influenced by the hostile actions of neighboring forces” said the source.
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