Mithai diplomacy: Pakistani troops present sweets to Indian counterparts at Wagah

Published November 11, 2015
Representatives from Pakistan Rangers Punjab presented the sweets to their counterparts from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Wagah border crossing. 
 -PTI
Representatives from Pakistan Rangers Punjab presented the sweets to their counterparts from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Wagah border crossing. -PTI

LAHORE: Pakistani border troops on Wednesday presented sweets and exchanged greetings with their Indian counterparts on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Representatives from Pakistan Rangers Punjab presented the sweets to their counterparts from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Wagah border crossing.

Despite ceasefire violations and violence in the disputed Himalayan region, the exchange of sweets between Indian and Pakistani army personnel along the LoC on their respective days of national importance has been a recurring feature.

On August 14 last year, Pakistani Rangers had exchanged sweets with personnel from the BSF to celebrate Pakistan’s 68th Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post.

Related: August 14: Pakistani Rangers, Indian BSF exchange sweets at Wagah

However, such an exchange did not take place on the occasion of Eidul Fitr this year as Indian soldiers did not exchange sweets with their Pakistani counterparts.

BSF Deputy Inspector General MF Farooqui on the occasion had confirmed that "there will be no Eid greetings exchanged with Pakistani Rangers," without citing a reason.

Related: Pakistan, India border guards abandon customary Eid greeting

Relations between the Pakistan and India are at their lowest, with allegations of ceasefire violations and involvement in terrorism from both sides.

Planned talks between national security advisers from India and Pakistan were canceled in August hours before they were due to start, dashing hopes that the two nuclear-armed neighbours might tackle the violence that many fear could one day spark a nuclear showdown.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his speech at the 70th session of UN General Assembly earlier this year, presented a four point peace initiative to resolve all issues with India.

But India rejected the peace plan accusing Pakistan of promoting terrorism in the region, Pakistan handed over three dossiers of Indian involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan to UN chief.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...