New Delhi: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali in a remote and challenging environment, spending the festive occasion with personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force at Lakki Nala in Gujarats Kachchh region. This visit highlights the Prime Ministers commitment to honoring the sacrifices of Indias armed forces during the festive season.A harsh environment for celebrationsAt the BSF outpost near the Pakistan border, PM Modi engaged with soldiers, extending Diwali greetings and sharing in their camaraderie. An official source described the location as “an extremely inhospitable place, due to the very hot days and very cold nights,” emphasizing the challenges faced by the troops stationed there.This is not the first time PM Modi has marked Diwali with Indias military personnel. In 2017, he celebrated the festival with soldiers in the Gurez Valley, situated near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. During that visit, he exchanged sweets, greeted the jawans, and acknowledged their unwavering dedication to the nation.Past celebrations: A tradition of gratitudePM Modi has consistently shown appreciation for the valor of the armed forces. In 2014, he made a surprise visit to Siachen on Diwali, commending the troops for their courage and highlighting that their commitment enables over 1.25 billion Indians to celebrate the festival in safety and comfort.His recent celebration with BSF soldiers is particularly poignant, occurring alongside reports of Indian and Chinese troops exchanging sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This gesture is traditionally observed during festive occasions, symbolizing goodwill and a spirit of camaraderie.Significance of sweet exchanges at the LACThe sweets exchange took place a day after both nations completed troop disengagement at two friction points—Demchok and Depsang Plains—in eastern Ladakh, marking a potential thaw in Sino-Indian relations. An Indian Army source confirmed the sweet exchanges, reflecting a hopeful step towards stabilizing ties that have been strained since 2020. The simultaneous celebrations underscore a dual narrative: while PM Modi brings festive cheer to the Indian armed forces, there is also a broader diplomatic effort towards maintaining peace at the borders.Prime Minister Modis Diwali celebrations with the armed forces encapsulate the spirit of gratitude and recognition towards those who protect the nation. As India navigates complex relationships with neighboring countries, such gestures reinforce the importance of unity, respect, and camaraderie, both within the military and beyond.
