New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day.

‘Greetings and good wishes to the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day,’ the prime minister said in a tweet.

Pakistan celebrates Independence Day on 14 August.

But no ceremonial exchange of sweets and gifts will take place between BSF and Pak Rangers during the Independence day celebrations on both the sides, in the wake of recent ceasefire violations and cross-border terror bids from the Pakistan side.

The Border Security Force headquarters in New Delhi has communicated the decision in this regard to their formations in the western sector of the country where its troops guard the International Border (IB) with Pakistan along Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir independently.

‘Neither sweets nor gifts will be offered or taken on 14 August, Pakistan’s Independence Day and on 15 August, the day when India got freedom in 1947. The decision has been communicated to field formations,’ a senior BSF officer said.

The souring of ties and customary courtesies between the two countries was recently seen when Pakistan refused a similar Indian gesture during Eid festivities last month.