ID :
185313
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 13:17
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/185313
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India, Pakistan resume Siachen talks
New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) After a gap of three years,
defence secretaries of India and Pakistan on Monday met here
to discuss the long-pending Siachen issue.
Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar is leading the Indian
delegation at the two-day talks with his Pakistani
counterpart Lt General (Retd) Syed Ather Ali.
India and Pakistan decided to resume the talks last
year after Prime Ministers of both the countries met in Thimpu
and decided to take forward the dialogue process.
While the Pakistani delegation has two civilian
officials and four military officers, the Indian side includes
Special Secretary R K Mathur, Director General of Military
Operations (DGMO) Lt General A M Verma and Surveyor General S
Subha Rao, defence officials said.
After the talks, the Pakistani Defence Secretary will
call on Defence Minister A K Antony this evening.
Siachen, the world's highest militarised zone, has
been a long pending issue between India and Pakistan over
differences on the location of the 110-km long Actual Ground
Position Line (AGPL) which passes through the Soltoro Ridge
and Siachen Glacier.
"The AGPL is not clearly marked beyond the grid
reference point of NJ-9842. The two countries have decided to
de-militarise the Siachen Glacier, but the matter is stuck as
there are apprehensions on both sides," officials said.
India wants Pakistan to authenticate the AGPL, both on
the maps and the ground, as it occupies most of the dominating
posts on the Saltoro Ridge, they said.
Pakistan, in turn, has been insisting on maintaining
the pre-1972 troop positions as agreed in the Simla Agreement.
Retaliating to Pakistan Army’s advances in the glacier
in 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot and deployed its
troops in most of the dominating features in the area.
The defence secretary-level talks between the two
countries on Siachen dates back to 1985.The decision to hold
joint talks was taken by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
and Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq.
The Pakistani delegation arrived in India on Saturday
and on Sunday visited Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
defence secretaries of India and Pakistan on Monday met here
to discuss the long-pending Siachen issue.
Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar is leading the Indian
delegation at the two-day talks with his Pakistani
counterpart Lt General (Retd) Syed Ather Ali.
India and Pakistan decided to resume the talks last
year after Prime Ministers of both the countries met in Thimpu
and decided to take forward the dialogue process.
While the Pakistani delegation has two civilian
officials and four military officers, the Indian side includes
Special Secretary R K Mathur, Director General of Military
Operations (DGMO) Lt General A M Verma and Surveyor General S
Subha Rao, defence officials said.
After the talks, the Pakistani Defence Secretary will
call on Defence Minister A K Antony this evening.
Siachen, the world's highest militarised zone, has
been a long pending issue between India and Pakistan over
differences on the location of the 110-km long Actual Ground
Position Line (AGPL) which passes through the Soltoro Ridge
and Siachen Glacier.
"The AGPL is not clearly marked beyond the grid
reference point of NJ-9842. The two countries have decided to
de-militarise the Siachen Glacier, but the matter is stuck as
there are apprehensions on both sides," officials said.
India wants Pakistan to authenticate the AGPL, both on
the maps and the ground, as it occupies most of the dominating
posts on the Saltoro Ridge, they said.
Pakistan, in turn, has been insisting on maintaining
the pre-1972 troop positions as agreed in the Simla Agreement.
Retaliating to Pakistan Army’s advances in the glacier
in 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot and deployed its
troops in most of the dominating features in the area.
The defence secretary-level talks between the two
countries on Siachen dates back to 1985.The decision to hold
joint talks was taken by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
and Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq.
The Pakistani delegation arrived in India on Saturday
and on Sunday visited Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
