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.

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