Pakistan, India talks on Siachen begin

ISLAMABAD — Defence delegations of Pakistan and India on Monday began on a cautious note their 2-day talks on Siachen Glacier in Rawalpindi.

The talks, led by respective defence secretaries — S. K. Sharma of India and Nargis Sethi of Pakistan — are designed to find an acceptable resolution of the conflict dubbed as world’s highest battle ground. Monday’s discussions, according to official sources, revolved around reiteration of traditional respective positions and some broad ideas in search of striking a common ground to revolve a solution that has eluded them for so long.

“The ultimate resolution would await agreement between the political leadership that may take quite long,” an official said.

Pakistan emphasised the need for demilitarisation and an early pull back of both forces to reasonable limits while India wanted authentication, delineation and demarcation of respective troop positions before any withdrawal. The second and concluding round will be held on Tuesday after which a joint statement is expected before the India delegation flies back home. The Indian visitors also met Pakistan’s new Defence Minister Naveed Qamar and visited Taxila on arrival on Sunday.

news@khaleejtimes.com