Diwali 2018: BSF, Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers Wednesday exchanged sweets and greetings on the occasion of Diwali at the Attari-Wagah border, officials said. The BSF gifted sweets to the Pakistani Rangers and it reciprocated the gesture, they said.

The two sides also exchanged greetings and pleasantries, officials added.

ALSO READ | Diwali 2018: PM Narendra Modi celebrates with soldiers near India-China border in Uttarakhand

Punjab: Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border today, on the occasion of #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/CuO8VG7CfL

— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

On January 26, the BSF had refused to exchange sweets and greetings with the Rangers in the wake of heightened tension between the two countries along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir due to repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces.

The border guarding forces of both the countries exchange sweets and wishes on various religious festivals like Eid and Diwali, and also on Independence Day and Republic Day.

In the day, Prime Minster Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border in Uttarakhand’s Harshil cantonment area. After becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi has been celebrating Diwali with jawans. “The devotion towards duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation,” said the prime minister while greeting the soldiers.

ALSO READ | Don’t live in India if you like players from other countries, Virat Kohli lashes out at fan

Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world. "I feel proud when the Indian peacekeeping forces are praised for their skills, valour and discipline across the world," he said. Remembering his long association with the forces, he said he had a chance to spend time in the company of soldiers early during his career and he was sensitive to their needs.