The recent tension between the armies of India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) have stifled the customary Diwali exchange between the two countries. Amid the escalating conflict, according to a report, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI and Rangers, the border personnel have decided to not accept sweets from India.
In line with established protocol, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad sends sweets to top government officials of Pakistan on festivals such as Diwali. The ISI office this year has decided to return the Diwali sweets which were first accepted but later returned.
The tradition has extended to India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers to exchange sweets and gifts on festivals like Diwali and Eid, however, the customary exchange is not expected to take place this year.
In the wake of the decision of the Indian Government to abrogate Article 370 which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan had unilaterally withdrawn all diplomatic ties with India. Since August 5, there have been consistent ceasefire violations along the LoC, the most recent exchange saw the Indian Army target terror launch pads in Pakistan controlled Kashmir in response to Pakistan targeting civilian areas in Tangdhar in Jammu and Kashmir.
