Bangladesh and India will finally swap tiny islands of land that will put an end one of the world’s most difficult border disputes that has kept thousands of people in stateless limbo for almost 70 years. On Friday, some 50,000 residents along the border will light candles and celebrate their “new found freedom” following a historic deal sealed between the two countries’ prime ministers.

Under the agreement finalised in June and coming into effect on 30th July 2015, the “islands” will effectively cease to exist, as each country will assume sovereignty over all enclaves in its territory. Residents can choose to live in India or Bangladesh and will be granted citizenship. They can stay put or choose to move across the 4,000-kilometre long border.

Bangladesh endorsed a deal with India in 1974 in a bid to dissolve the pockets, but a souring of ties in the next few decades meant India only signed a final agreement in June during a visit to Dhaka by premier Narendra Modi, keen to strengthen regional ties.