In a symbolic display of goodwill, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged Diwali sweets at multiple locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), just days after both sides successfully completed the military disengagement in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. This sweet exchange took place in Chushul Maldo and Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh, Banchha (near Kibutu) and Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh, and Nathula in Sikkim, marking a moment of cultural unity following four years of tension in the region.
This gesture was an immediate outcome of the recent patrolling agreement between India and China, announced on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS summit. During this summit, Modi will engage in a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling a renewed diplomatic tone. The agreement, a significant milestone, calls for the removal of personnel and infrastructure, such as temporary camps, from Depsang plains and Demchok areas, effectively restoring troop positions to their pre-2020 locations.
These areas have been flashpoints since May-June 2020, where clashes led to the tragic loss of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan. As part of the disengagement process, satellite images captured last week provided the first glimpses of the troop pullback, showing Indian military tents being removed, vehicles moving away from Depsang plains, and temporary Chinese structures dismantled in Demchok by October 25.
The mutual withdrawal underscores an effort to build trust. According to Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, restoring confidence is key, stating, “This [rebuilding of trust] will happen once we are able to see each other, and convince and reassure each other that we are not creeping into buffer zones that have been created.”
Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Peace
Indian Army sources have confirmed that verification is underway to ensure compliance with the agreement, where both sides maintain surveillance options in Depsang and Demchok. Additionally, ground-level commanders from both countries will communicate before undertaking regular patrols to prevent any potential miscommunication.
For more on this significant agreement, read our in-depth article, A Step Towards Stability: India and China’s Breakthrough Agreement on the LAC, which explores how the patrolling deal aims to create a safer and more stable border environment.
This cultural exchange of Diwali sweets marks a hopeful start towards enduring peace, setting a tone for continued cooperation, and encouraging both nations to take forward steps in building trust and stability along the LAC. As both countries work towards shared diplomatic goals, this exchange reflects a refreshing shift towards mutual respect and understanding, laying a hopeful foundation for a lasting peace.
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