Indian and Chinese Troops Exchange Diwali Sweets: Building Goodwill at the Line of Actual Control

New Delhi:

Yu Jing, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, announced on Tuesday that Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets to celebrate Diwali, demonstrating goodwill between both nations.

She shared on X: "China and India troops exchanged sweets at LAC on Diwali, marking a gesture of goodwill between the two sides."

Previously, on March 25, the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was conducted in Beijing.

During this meeting, officials from both countries evaluated the situation along the Line of Actual Control and reached an agreement for early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including matters related to trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

🎉🍬China and India troops exchanged sweets at LAC on Diwali, marking a gesture of goodwill between the two sides.#IndiaChina #Diwali #LAC pic.twitter.com/1a80dD7AnU

According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both countries explored various measures and proposals to implement decisions made during the meeting of Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question held in Beijing in December 2024, and to advance effective border management. Both sides agreed to maintain and strengthen diplomatic and military mechanisms.

The MEA statement highlighted: "Held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the meeting comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas. Peace and tranquillity on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations."

The release further stated: "The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management. The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this end. They also exchanged views on early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra."

The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), while Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed the Chinese delegation, according to the MEA statement.