As a goodwill gesture on the occasion of India’s 72nd Independence Day celebration, troops of paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF), stationed along the India-Bangladesh border at Agartala-Akhaura gave sweets to their Bangladeshi counterparts.
Officials of 120 battalions of Border Security Force (BSF) gave sweet boxes to officials of 25 battalion Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Subedar Moktar while greeting him on the occasion on Tuesday in presence of other officials of both sides including Company Commander of Lankamura border outpost of BSF Kishan Kumar.
He also gave greetings to all residents of Bangladesh on behalf of the BSF.
The gesture was equally reciprocated by BGB officials and their troopers.
To enhance bilateral relations the exchange of sweets between India and Bangladesh along the border in Tripura border is an old and traditional gesture to show goodwill between the two nations and has been in practice for many years now.
BSF and BGB exchange sweets and greetings on several occasions including Diwali, Eid, Holi, Independence Day and Republic Day.
Subedar Moktar of 25 BGB said, “I convey my greeting to all Indians on behalf of my nation, Bangladesh. Long back in 1947, India and Pakistan were separated and since then this day, August 15 is being celebrated and I on behalf of BGB wish that this day is celebrated properly. BGB and BSF on the borderline are living together and there are no differences and we maintain very good relation and is any small incident takes place we solve it at our level. At present, we maintain a very good relationship and continuing our duty.”
He added that India and Bangladesh are very friendly nations and BSF and BGB always work jointly to better manage the border.
He added, “In 1971, Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan and during that time the Indian Army, BSF and troopers helped in our liberation and many sacrificed their lives. I thank all of them and those who are still alive for helping Bangladesh during that period. Many Indian civilians as well as soldiers, sacrificed their lives for us and I on behalf of Bangladesh thank them for coming forward for our independence.”
The exchange of sweets though a token and symbolic but it just not only resembles the improved friendly relation between the border forces but it helps in confidence building and create a people-to-people relation between the bordering population on both sides.