Diwali 2024: PM Modi celebrates Diwali in Kachchh with BSF troops, Indian and Chinese soldiers exchange sweets along LAC

Prime Minister Narendra celebrated Modi Diwali on Thursday with personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force near the Indo-Pak border in Kachchh district, Gujarat. PM Modi offered sweets to the soldiers while donning a BSF uniform. After arriving at Koteshwar in Kachchh from Ekta Nagar, PM Modi proceeded to Lakki Nala in the Sir Creek area, as reported by a BSF official. (@narendramodi/X)

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, commemorating the birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister coinciding with Diwali, which is recognised as National Unity Day. (@narendramodi/X)

Meanwhile, in a breakthrough, the Indian and Chinese soldiers exchanged sweets in five Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali. This comes days after the troops of both the countries completed disengagement at two friction points — Depsang Plains and Demchok in eastern Ladakh.

India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements earlier this month with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri making the announcement in New Delhi, setting the stage for a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia.

The completed disengagement marks the first step of a three-step process – disengagement, de-escalation and de-induction of troops on the India-China border areas and a breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff.

Meanwhile, the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday set two new Guinness World Records with 25 lakh earthen lamps (diyas) illuminated, surpassing the previous year’s record of 22.23 lakh diyas and over 1,100 people performing aarti. This event took place on the banks of the Saryu River, specifically at 55 ghats, including the famous Ram ki Paidi setting a new Guinness World Records on the eve of Diwali. (AP)

With security in place, ministers in attendance, the temple town decked up in its full glory as it celebrated Deepotsav for the first time after the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, held in January this year. (AP)