Exploring the Daily Ceremony at the India-Pakistan Border
For many years, the Attari-Wagah border has been a major attraction for tourists. People from both sides gather to support the soldiers as they perform a dramatic and spirited display of marching and pageantry.
TroibNews 
On May 1, 2025, the Attari-Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan was officially shut down, signifying a significant development in the already strained relations between the two countries. Despite the iron gates that divide the nations being firmly locked, a daily tradition at this border serves as a reminder that exchanging barbs is preferable to exchanging gunfire.
For many years, the Attari-Wagah border has drawn in tourists from both nations. Visitors have delighted in the sight of soldiers performing choreographed goose steps in a theatrical display of martial pageantry. During the ceremony that marks the changing of the guard, soldiers from both sides showcase high kicks, powerful stomps, and fierce gazes. The event typically culminates with a swift, fraternal handshake.
In this July 19, 2009 file photo, an Indian Border Security Force soldier, right, and a Pakistani Rangers soldier face one another at a daily closing ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border post. /Vincent Thian/AP
This spectacle is a highlight for many tourists, brimming with theatrical flair and nationalistic fervor. However, beyond the performance, during a period when conflicts could escalate faster than diplomatic resolutions, this ritual of shouting and stamping resonates with unexpected significance.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
For many years, the Attari-Wagah border has drawn in tourists from both nations. Visitors have delighted in the sight of soldiers performing choreographed goose steps in a theatrical display of martial pageantry. During the ceremony that marks the changing of the guard, soldiers from both sides showcase high kicks, powerful stomps, and fierce gazes. The event typically culminates with a swift, fraternal handshake.
In this July 19, 2009 file photo, an Indian Border Security Force soldier, right, and a Pakistani Rangers soldier face one another at a daily closing ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border post. /Vincent Thian/AP
This spectacle is a highlight for many tourists, brimming with theatrical flair and nationalistic fervor. However, beyond the performance, during a period when conflicts could escalate faster than diplomatic resolutions, this ritual of shouting and stamping resonates with unexpected significance.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
