The statement from the Indian government came after army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, in an unusually candid talk with the media, joined the debate about the human and financial cost of fighting in an uninhabitable area – suggesting that the Pakistan Army was in favour of demilitarising Siachen, which is also dubbed the world’s highest battleground.
He had said that Pakistan and India should resolve all outstanding disputes with each other, including Kashmir and Siachen, through dialogue.
Earlier, in a similar statement, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had also advised the Pakistani government to take the lead and withdraw its troops from Siachen Glacier where 138 troops and civilians were buried by a massive avalanche over a week ago.
Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrectly attributed a statement by Indian Minister of State for Defence, MM Pallam Raju to the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony. The correction has been made.
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Why not nominate Army Chief's of both countries for Nobel Peace Price ? This price does work wonders at times.
@Khalid Durrani - spot on...
@Zaid Hamid: "Now when India vacates Siachen, we will capture it like we did in Kargil. Well played Gen. Kiyani."
That is definitely a legitimate concern for India. This is why the criteria outlined by India for vacating are very clear. Both countries should authenticate AGPL (Actual Ground Position Line). Therebu anyone who crosses the AGPL is deemed an aggressor.
a regrettable thing happened ,140 soldiers died of natural,unpreventable causes but many thousands of killed by extreemist deliberately targeting them .NO HUE AND CRY , just remember if India wants it ,then you should want it too,or as usual you are you happy to raise your hands up Mr kiyani should not make political statements and their is no honour in unilateral withdrawal as the greats fugitive Nawaz suggested
Its strange to see comments Pallam Raju makes the top news in Pakistani media, while no news paper in India seem to bother much. India has for very long expressed its interest to be friends with Pakistan however less interest shown from the later. Its seems the country's crippled economy and dire state affairs had made the government realize importance of having a friend given the so called friends seem to brand it as a rouge. I sincerely hope that Pakistan becomes prosperous and the people of the country have a good life in the future, in that future whether the Pakistan still desire to be a friend to its neighbor or its just call for relief in adversity.
When countries cannot resolve issues, Nature plays its role. Let good sense prevail on both sides and bring peace and prosperity to the region. Some way should be found out where both countries vacate the region and neither allows any expedition or tourism in that region.
@Roflcopter: If that is the case, you are welcome to stay atop Siachen. India is not asking you to vacate it.
@Roflcopter: Thats a matter of perception. We feel that Pakistan has been the aggressor in most cases. So lets agree to disagree and keep the soldiers there. And since we have the advantage, why should we hand it back to you. After all its a matter of which country can afford it more and if we feel that we can afford it why should we hand it back to you.
ET seems to have a problem with my comments. Why dont you mail me the reason. Maybe I will not even try posting my comments in future..
@Babar: Thanx babar. It is nice to know that u have finally acknowledged what the world knows. Now can we move on with life. Lets give back to India what is theirs, this is line going north from NJ9842 and lets keep whats ours. A weak state cannot be a revisionist state. The earlier we understand this the better for us.
Both countries should do something positive for the sake of poor on both sides of the border. Where there is a will surely there is a way so sit down and move forward.
for the first time guns are lowered by both and ears are opened on either side of border to atleast listen what both wants
@Pragmatist, there is no change in Pakistans attitude because the problem is with India since they're the aggressors.
The only fair solution to the problem is to restore the pre 1984 position as per Simla Accord. Both the armies must go back to their previous positions and declare the Siachen glacier as demilitarized zone open only for mountaineering expeditions from both countries.
Things we learnt when a lot of blood is already wasted. War is horrible and this region of South Asia is one land. No matter we call ourselves Pakistanis and others Indians. The fact is that we are one race, almost similar languages and cultures. No external ideology of middle east can change what we have inherited through history.
India-don't forget Kargil.
Good to see some sanity prevailing. Hope it carries on. We need the money for more important matters than digging graves for our brave men.
Funny development .... its like one fine day my neighbour invades my house and starts throwing bricks from the roof. I try my level best to enter my house but can't. Now after being hurt by a brick, I console myself with the logic that me and my neighbour can negotiate and the funny part is that my neighbour aplauds me. Indeed might is right .... Hail to India the undisputed bully of the region.
Is Siachin a military issue or a political issue. Should it be addressed by Zardari/Gilani or by the Army Chief. Kayani statement shows that Pakistani army is incapable of defending Siachin.
ALHAMDOLILLAH! Someone has seen sense. Let this be followed by action
Dear Tribune, Don't portray a person's statement as a statement of a Country.
It was not Pakistan's Statement, It was the statement of a person who is not even an elected parliamentarian.
Good news for both countries. Need to implement this idea of demilitarising.
beginning of new era..
and Pakistanis laud your statement. Now please start practical steps, both sides.
Now when India vacates Siachen, we will capture it like we did in Kargil. Well played Gen. Kiyani.
Time has come to resolve Siachen issue. Both countries should come forward and solve this core problem.
A very positive move indeed.Countries like pakistan and india are not in a position to afford a "ROTI " at a cost of RS 100 at siachin. A lot can achieved by investing these funds in education ,health and other welfare activities.
One positive aspect of global warming - seemingly warming of relations with our neighbour! Lets hope the trend is sustained for the benefit of all SAARC countries.
Voices of sanity are being heard from both sides of the borders too frequently, hope this is not the time for SOMEONE to break into once again to disrupt the feelings of mutual harmony & poison the relations once again.
welcome, but who will give guarantee that both parties will not intervene their after,, i think its not possible based ground fact, it may be a political statement for good gestures.
bravo! i hope india and pakistan can one day resolve their issues and join hands.
We are pleased with Pakistan's change in attitude. Now, can you please sign on the dotted line?
If humans cannot resolve issues through dialogs,using logics in deliberations democratically in present world then UN should exclude them in list of humans Can any one present this resolution in Un councel
Both countries should save the money and use it for welfare of people of both countries.