Indian and Chinese Troops Exchange Sweets Along LAC on Diwali
In a gesture of goodwill and bonhomie, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets and greetings along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh on the occasion of Diwali.
The exchange took place at multiple locations, including the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and Chushul sectors, where the two armies have been deployed opposite each other since the standoff began in May 2020.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China handed over boxes of traditional Chinese sweets to the Indian Army personnel, who reciprocated with boxes of Indian sweets, including gulab jamun and barfi.
This gesture of goodwill is significant, given the tense relations between the two nations following the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers.
Despite ongoing tensions, both sides have maintained that they are committed to resolving the border dispute through diplomatic and military talks.
The exchange of sweets and greetings is a long-standing tradition between the two armies, and it has continued even during periods of heightened tensions.
An Indian Army spokesperson said, “As part of the ongoing efforts to reduce tensions and maintain peace along the LAC, the Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets and greetings on Diwali.”
The gesture has been welcomed by experts, who see it as a positive step towards reducing tensions and improving relations between the two nations.
However, the Indian government has maintained that the border dispute remains unresolved, and that talks are ongoing to find a mutually acceptable solution.
The exchange of sweets and greetings comes ahead of the next round of military talks between the two sides, scheduled to take place soon.