No handshake at India-Pakistan border ceremony

India-Pakistan border ceremony skips handshake

The daily military ceremony at the India-Pakistan border in Wagah took a subdued tone on April 27, 2024, as the usual handshake between soldiers from both sides was omitted. This rare deviation from the long-standing tradition followed heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, sparked by recent accusations from Islamabad.  

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killings of two Pakistani citizens, describing them as "extra-judicial and transnational" murders. India dismissed the claims as "false and malicious anti-India propaganda." The diplomatic strain appeared to influence the border ceremony, where the customary handshake—a symbolic gesture of temporary camaraderie—was skipped, though the elaborate marching and flag-lowering rituals continued as usual.  

The Wagah border ceremony, known for its theatrical displays of national pride, typically draws large crowds from both countries. However, the omission of the handshake highlighted the fragile state of India-Pakistan relations, which have remained strained since the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent military exchanges. Observers noted that while such ceremonies are meant to project discipline and coordination, the absence of this small but significant gesture underscored the deeper political rift.  

No official explanation was given for the missing handshake, but the move aligned with recent patterns of reduced diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The incident served as a visible reminder of the ongoing tensions, even in a ritual designed to foster a semblance of mutual respect.