Indo-Pak talks: Islamabad to push for Siachen settlement, again
Islamabad will renew a proposal seeking the immediate demilitarisation of the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, and a troop pullback to the 1984 positions, when senior officials from Pakistan and India begin talks here today (Monday) to resolve the 28-year-old dispute.
The two-day discussions between the defence secretaries of both countries are taking place amid calls by Pakistan to seek a settlement on the icy heights after an avalanche buried 140 people, including 129 soldiers and 11 civilians on April 7 at Giari sector.
Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma will lead the India delegation at talks with Pakistan authorities.
A Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Islamabad had handed over a ‘non-paper’ to India envisaging a clear roadmap for the longstanding problem during the last round of talks held in New Delhi last year.
“We expect to hear India’s response in the discussions,” added the official, requesting anonymity.
Pakistan, according to the proposal, wants India to pull back troops to the 1984 positions while India wants Pakistan to authenticate the 110-kilometre actual ground position line (AGPL) along the Siachen Glacier and the Saltoro ridge in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistani officials claim that India fears that a troop pullback would set a troubling precedent and put pressure on New Delhi to resolve the festering dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Siachen conflict began in 1984 when Indian forces launched a successful operation to force Pakistani troops to retreat west of Saltoro ridge. Since then, the two countries have fought intermittently in the region, only to agree on a ceasefire in 2003.
Over 2,000 troops have died from both sides, a majority of them due to harsh weather rather than combat.
The agreement on Siachen was almost reached in 1989 between former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her Indian counterpart Rajiv Gandhi. However, it was widely believed that the final deal could not be sealed due to opposition by the Indian Army.
The two sides again came close to striking an agreement on Siachen and Sir Creek during General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s regime but political upheaval in Pakistan prevented the historic breakthrough.
Earlier this year, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had said there should be a peaceful resolution of the Siachen issue, which had kindled hopes that a negotiated settlement to demilitarise the area might be on the anvil.
But Indian Defense Minister AK Antony played down the hype by suggesting that no major breakthrough was expected in the upcoming talks between the two neighbours on the Siachen dispute.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2012.
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Sensible leaders from both countries should sit down and sincerely revisit the conditions that led to the partition of India. Britain enabled/encouraged the creation of Pakistan post WW2 because they were unsure of United India under congress would continue to support their post imperial agenda and out of fear of Soviet/Communist expansion to south asia. While we fight the old masters sip their scotch and watch with amusement as we continue to waste our energies on each other and still do not see their plot.
My suggestion is simple, give to Pakistani leaders what Jinnah wanted, 1/3rd of parliament seats reserved for them, full autonomy in muslim dominated regions and a constitution that gurantees equal rights to all minorties. In exchange Pakistan and India form a Federation of United India and show to the world what we can do when we work together....all other options have failed, it is time to think out of the box and do best for our people who all share common heritage, culture and anscestors... .
Why do we always go dirty and political lets think about as an human there are people some' ones son's, husband and father ! so lets not be cold and hard and show some sorrow and pray for them !
The increasing noise from the Pakistanis indicate that they cannot afford their formations at Saltoro Ridge(Mind you they are not on Siachen, but about 6 or 7 kms downhill)., while India certainly can.
Isn't this what the US did to USSR? Upping the stakes?
@Hammad:
There is an UN resolution that asks for some conditions prior to an plebiscite and resolution as you mention. Have you read that? and if so are both parties concerned especially Pak willing to adhere to the conditions in it.. I don't think so
Unknown Indian: There is nothing at POK. I am from Kashmir and can tell you with all certainty that no one there thinks like that. Worry about the occupation you people have been carrying on for more than half a century.
I don't understand why this non-paper is being discussed. There is an easy way to demilitarize the region - authenticate the AGPL with the pre-condition that Indian troops must withdraw to pre-1984 positions. After that you won't have to worry about 'carving up Gilgit' or thwarting access to China or any of those fanciful conspiracy theories. If not, let us continue with the status quo - India has not tried to move further beyond the current AGPL since 1984 and there is no chance of doing so.
@Hammad:
Wasn’t it Mr. Nehru who stated that, “I should like to make it clear that the question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the state to accede to India.
Did you ever questioned the honor ceremony of soldiers of Kargil? The official version of Kargil incident in 1999 was that Pakistani soldiers werenot involved in the operation.
what a waste of money, resources and lives on both sides.... it's high time we find a solution!
Evey one knows that India will not negotiate any thing on Kashmir.Please consider alternate solution .Very effective and simple solution to the Kashmir. Please lease Dosai Plato to Our dear friend China to build Highest air force base and Missile control station to bring piece in the region This deal cannot be secret any more.. Indians will talk to us. Please do not hide this high altitude missile station from India ,good or bad ,but they are our neighbours.
Solve Kashmir issue first ,siachen will be solved . Pak should withdraw troops from POK and GB .
Futile effort! Indians won't listen, history tells us that. Wasn't it Mr. Nehru who said that,
""I should like to make it clear that the question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the state to accede to India. Our view which we have repeatedly made public is that the question of accession in any disputed territory or state must be decided in accordance with wishes of people and we adhere to this view". (Telegram 402 Primin-2227 dated 27th October, 1947 to PM of Pakistan repeating telegram addressed to PM of UK)
Those 'wishes of people' have been buried under 64 years of occupation, rape, murder and genocide. How to expect something productive on Siachen?
Pakistani leaders please at least now you must know that there is nothing go to be changed and happened in this regard between India-Pakistan high level talks in Islamabad because Indian leaders have clearly said that there is no any chance of break through on Siachen issue in the talks between Indian-Pakistani leadership and Indian leaders have rejected all the given proposals by Pakistani leaders to resolve Siachen issue.Then please don't waste time and money on the useless peace talks with India.If not now then when shall you see the dishonesty and insincerity of Indian leadership to resolve all the burning and core issues between India-Pakistan peacefully and thru negotiations?
There should be mutually acceptable pre-conditions otherwise this will be another exercise in futility. Good Luck, Nuclear Neighbours.
Futile effort. India won't listen to it, they've a history of it. Wasn't it Mr. Nehru who stated that,
"I should like to make it clear that the question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the state to accede to India. Our view which we have repeatedly made public is that the question of accession in any disputed territory or state must be decided in accordance with wishes of people and we adhere to this view". (Telegram 402 Primin-2227 dated 27th October, 1947 to PM of Pakistan repeating telegram addressed to PM of UK)
"Wishes of people" have been buried under 64 years of occupation, torture, rape and genocide. Don't know what good to expect on Siachen.