The Wagah border closing ceremony "lowering of the flags" is a daily military practice that the security forces of Pakistan (Pakistan Rangers) and India (Border Security Force) have followed since 1959. This ceremony takes place every evening before sunset at the Wagah border, which as part of the Grand Trunk Road was the only road link between these two countries before the opening of the Aman Setu in Kashmir in 1999.
The ceremony starts with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both the sides and ends up in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations flags, it is called the beating retreat border ceremony on the international level. One infantryman (Jawan) stands at attention on each side of the gate. As the sun sets, the iron gate at the border is opened and the flags are lowered. The flags are folded and the ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side. The spectacle of the ceremony attracts many visitors from both sides of the border, as well as international tourists.
