On October 31, 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) of India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) celebrated Diwali by exchanging sweets along the India-Bangladesh border. This tradition, observed annually, promotes goodwill between the two nations.
Locations of Sweet Exchanges
According to a spokesman for the BSF’s Mizoram and Cachar Frontier, sweets were exchanged at multiple locations along the borders of Assam and Mizoram. In Tripura, the BSF reported that approximately 100 locations participated in this sweet-sharing event two days prior to Diwali.
Significance of the Event
This year’s exchange marks the first joint celebration since the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collapsed on August 5. For decades, the BSF and BGB have engaged in this friendly practice during major festivals, symbolizing peace and cooperation.
Upcoming High-Level Talks
In related news, the Director General-level border talks between the BSF and BGB, originally scheduled for November 18-22 in Delhi, have been postponed due to changes made by the Home Ministry of Bangladesh. These talks are crucial for discussing border management, crime prevention, and cooperation in sharing real-time intelligence.
Historical Context
The BSF oversees a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh, which includes five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. The annual Director-General talks began in 1975 and have evolved to occur bi-annually since 1993, alternating between New Delhi and Dhaka.
This ongoing dialogue aims to strengthen security and enhance coordination between the two forces.
