Nucleus on De-militarization: Pakistan, India hold Talks on Siachen
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk

NEW DELHI (India): Pakistan and India Thursday held crucial talks at Defence Secretaries-level on Siachen, world's highest battleground, with threadbare discussions on various proposals, focusing on de-militarization of the area.

The parleys were held in positive and friendly atmosphere with frank and candid discussions on Siachen, which is one of the eight points at the Composite Dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Pakistan delegation was led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan while Indian side was headed by his counterpart A Vikram Singh.

One-on-One Meeting

The delegation-level talks were preceded by one-on-one meeting between the Defence Secretaries of the two countries.

Reiterating its earlier position towards Siachen, Pakistan is understood to have emphasized on implementation of an understanding, reached in June 1989 between the two countries for the redeployment of forces in Siachen prior to Simla position, adding it should form basis of the talks.

It was emphasized during the talks that the disengagement should take place and areas should be de-militarised. Indian side is believed to have stressed during the talks that the existing position in Siachen should be authenticated, which is, however not acceptable to Pakistan.

Modalities for Disengagement

Military experts of the two sides met separately to discuss modalities for disengagement and redeployment of forces in pursuance of understanding of 1989 between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Siachen: A Test Case

Meanwhile diplomatic circles here are of the view that Siachen is very important issue, adding it would also be test case for the two sides to resolve their issues bilaterally in a peaceful manner.

Pakistan Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan on his arrival here yesterday said that Islamabad had a "positive and open" mind on the Siachen issue.

While Vikram Singh, Indian Defence Secretary had told the newsmen that the exercise was a part of the Composite Dialogue process between the two sides and efforts would be made to resolve all defence related issues.

The Pakistani Team

The Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Secretary, included Aziz Ahmad Khan, Pakistan High Commissioner, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maj Gen Raza Muhammad Khan, Director General Operations and Planning GHQ, Maj Gen Muhammad Yousuf, DG Military Operations, Maj Gen Jamil ur Rehman Afiridi and Deputy High Commissioner Munawar Saeed.

Indian Participants

Besides the Defence Secretary Vikram Singh, Indian team includes Arun Singh, Joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Prthipish Nag, Surveyor General, Shiv Shankar Menon, Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Lt Gen A S Bhaiya, Director General Military Operations, Bimal Julka and Gautam Mukhopadhyaya, Joint Secretaries in the Defence Ministry and Maj Gen J S Lidder, Additional DGMO.

Joint Statement Likely

Defence Ministry officials in New Delhi say, a joint statement is expected to be issued at the conclusion of the discussions.

The talks on the Siachen would be followed by Indo-Pak parleys on the issue of Sir Creek tomorrow and Rear Admiral Ahsan ul Haq Chaudhry, Additional Secretary, Defence Division will lead Pakistani side at the parleys.●