Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to celebrate Diwali with Indian Army personnel stationed along the country’s eastern frontier, including troops deployed near Nathu La in Sikkim.
The minister will visit Bagdogra Airfield in Darjeeling and Sukna in Siliguri before travelling to Sikkim to meet soldiers serving in the frontier region.
In a post on X, Singh said he would meet and interact with Army personnel at Bagdogra Airfield and Sukna on the eve of Diwali.
The visit is part of his regular engagements with armed forces personnel during major festivals, recognising their service and dedication to the nation.
On November 8, Singh will visit the Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim to pay tribute to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country.
He will also interact with Army personnel deployed in the region, including those serving along the Nathu La frontier.
The visit will provide an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of soldiers protecting India’s borders while spending the festival period away from their families.
The Defence Minister has regularly celebrated festivals with armed forces personnel in different parts of the country.
In 2025, he celebrated Dussehra with soldiers at Bhuj Military Station in Gujarat, where he participated in the traditional Bada Khana and performed Shastra Puja. He also witnessed a multi-agency exercise near the India-Pakistan border involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and other security agencies.
In 2024, Singh celebrated Diwali with Army personnel at the 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam. Earlier that year, he celebrated Holi with armed forces personnel at Leh Military Station in Ladakh, shared sweets with soldiers and paid tribute at the Hall of Fame in Leh.
Celebrating festivals with troops highlights the importance of recognising the sacrifices and commitment of armed forces personnel stationed in challenging border regions. Such visits also provide an opportunity for national leaders to interact directly with soldiers and acknowledge their contribution to the country’s security.
