In a first, an all-women unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) today handed over sweets to a group of ladies of Border Guard of Bangladesh at the border in West Bengal’s Nadia district as part of the traditional Independence Day celebrations held along the international frontier.

The first-ever women border guards exchange took place near Darshana/Gede border post of the BSF in the district.

Dressed in a ceremonial regalia, the six-member BSF team belonged to the 32nd battalion of the force deployed in the area to guard the international boundary in Nadia district.

The BGB women team that participated in the traditional ceremonial event is affiliated to the 6th battalion of the Bangladeshi force deployed under Darshana border post of the neighbouring country.

"The exchange of greetings and sharing of sweets symbolizes mutual respect and camaraderie between the two border guarding forces. It is a tradition which the women personnel have performed for the first time," 32nd battalion BSF Commandant Sujeet Kumar said.

He said the two sides shook hands and wished for continued prosperity of their respective countries with a commitment to having strong bilateral ties between them.

A senior BSF officer said the exchange of sweets and pleasantries between the two forces traditionally takes place during the national festivals of the two countries like Independence Day and Republic Day apart from big festivals like Deepawali and Eid.

This is, however, the first time an all-women team performed the gesture anywhere along this 4,096 km-long international boundary that runs across five states on India's eastern flank including over 2,200 km in West Bengal.