No Eid sweets exchanged by BSF with Pakistan

The customary exchange of Eid sweets between the Border Security Force and its Pakistani counterpart, Pakistan Rangers, did not not place along the India-Pakistan border on Monday, officials said.

IMAGE: The Border Security Force exchanged sweets with the Border Guard Bangladesh at the Indo-Bangladesh border at BOP Fulbari near Siliguri on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Photograph: ANI

The event was given a miss as the relations between the two countries are strained at present, they added.

Incidents of cross-border terrorism are continuing as usual on the Western front and hence, the exchange of sweets did not take place at any location along the India-Pakistan international border from Jammu to Gujarat, the officials said.

The BSF guards this border.

The force, the officials said, had attempted to undertake the customary gesture during Diwali last year, on its raising day (December 1) and Republic Day (January 26), but the move was not reciprocated by the Pakistani side.

However, the force exchanged sweets with its Bangladeshi counterpart, Border Guard Bangladesh, all along the eastern front.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-km-long international border.

"BSF and BGB share a very cordial relationship. Both the countries share a similar culture, traditions and festivals.

"The warmth and bonding between the countries and border-guarding forces reflect during several occasions, when they share the joy of festivals, including during Eid," a statement issued by the south Bengal frontier of the BSF said.

This frontier guards 903 kms of the India-Bangladesh border and is headquartered in Kolkata.

"BSF troops up to the border post level conveyed their best wishes to their companions of Bangladesh. The pleasantries for BGB headquarters were shared at Petrapole (land-border crossing in West Bengal)," the statement said.

The BSF, during these events, convey its best wishes and good health to its partner, the BGB, with a hope of a better future ahead, it added.