Pakistan takes up environmental degradation issue during Siachen talks

Pakistan's defence secretary informs Indian delegation that glacier melting, pollution could affect the entire world.

RAWALPINDI: Stressing for fast-track dialogue on Siachen, Pakistan on Tuesday took up issues with India of environmental degradation and pollution owing to human activity at the glacier during the concluding session of defence secretary-level talks.    

“We have informed the Indian delegation that the glacier melting and pollution on Siachen was not only an issue of concern for the region but it could affect the entire world,” Federal Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi told media at the end of 13th round of talks on Siachen between India and Pakistan.

She said that the Indian delegation was also informed about the need for a fast-track dialogue to resolve the issue, and proposed that Pakistan was ready to arrange meetings on mutually convenient dates and venues.

Sethi said that her Indian counterpart agreed to convey these proposals to the Indian leadership.

She said that talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere adding that both sides reaffirmed their resolve to make serious, sustained and result-oriented efforts for seeking an amicable solution of the Siachen issue.

They agreed to continue the dialogue on Siachen in keeping with the desire of the leaders of both the countries for an early resolution of all outstanding issues.

However, the Indian side was informed to consider an agreement of disengagement, Sethi said and added that Pakistan wanted simultaneous withdrawal of troops from the glacier.

Responding to a question, she said that the Indian side had insisted on authentication of current positions of troops on the glacier.

When Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma was asked about the progress on Siachen issue, he said, “Yes, there is some further movement on the Siachen issue.”

A joint statement at the end of two-day talks was also issued.

It was agreed that the next round of talks on Siachen will be held in New Delhi on mutually convenient dates, to be fixed through diplomatic channels.

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir and Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal, besides civil and military officials, assisted their respective countries during the talks.