India skips customary sweet exchange gesture with Pak on Diwali amid political standoff

After Independence Day, India once again refrained from exchanging sweets with Pakistan Rangers on Diwali. Following directives from the Union Home Ministry, the Border Security Force (BSF) did not engage in the traditional sweet exchange at border posts in Rajasthan, including Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Barmer.

For decades, Indian and Pakistani soldiers have shared sweets and greetings on occasions such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Holi, Diwali, and Eid – a gesture symbolising goodwill despite tensions.

However, this tradition was first suspended on August 15, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. The government cited Pakistan-based terrorism as the reason for halting symbolic exchanges.

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A senior security official said the message to Pakistan is clear, “As long as cross-border terrorism continues, such gestures will remain suspended.” This Diwali, the Rajasthan frontier remained quiet, with increased vigilance replacing the usual camaraderie, emphasizing India’s firm stance that peace gestures cannot coexist with terrorism.

Earlier, on September 15, the political standoff between India and Pakistan cast its shadow on the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, where the Indian team declined the customary post-match handshake with their opponents as a mark of protest.

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