Rivals talk of demilitarizing highest-ever battlefield
ISLAMABAD - Defense Ministry on Sunday confirmed arrival of Indian Defense Secretary Shashikant Sharama who would take up Siachen’s glacier-Saltoro Ridge dispute with his Pakistani counterpart Nargis Saithi here on Monday.
According to sources in the Ministry, the Secretary-level talks on defense would underline the impact of Gyari tragedy wherein over 130 troops of Pakistan Army had lost their lives under a snowball sliding in April this year. Pakistan has proposed demilitarization of highest ever war zone on the globe in the backdrop of the natural calamity that ate up the entire frontline post.
Although India had initially rejected Pakistan’s proposal to demilitarize Siachin’s snowy borders over the peaks of Kara Kuram, officials anticipate the two Defense Secretaries would certainly ponder on the tragedy prompted peace measures.
“Indian Defense Secretary Shashikant Sharama has arrived here along with his delegation to participate in the talks,” Defense Ministry officials requesting anonymity told Online.
Defense Secretary Nargis Sethi would lead the Pakistani delegation in the talks and that the military officials from both the country would also participate in the talks.
The officials however made it clear to Online that they were not anticipating any break-through out of the talks chiefly because of a reluctant India to resolve the dispute at the earliest.
On Friday, Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony had cautioned India against expecting any breakthrough when defence secretaries meet in Islamabad.
Anthony had said “No dramatic announcement or decision” should be expected, thereby virtually dismissing any hope that the meeting offered.
“Do not expect dramatic announcement or decision on an issue which is very important for us, especially in the context of national security,” Anthony had said.
Earlier this year, Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani had said there should be a peaceful resolution of the Siachen issue. Kayani’s statement had hyped hopes that a negotiated settlement to demilitarize the area might be on the anvil
During a visit to Siachen in 2005, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that the two countries should work to convert the highest battlefield into a mountain of peace.
The Siachen troop withdrawal issue has gained prominence following a massive avalanche which buried an entire Pakistan army forward operating base on April 7, resulting in the death of 129 soldiers and 11 civilian contractors.
According to sources in the Ministry, the Secretary-level talks on defense would underline the impact of Gyari tragedy wherein over 130 troops of Pakistan Army had lost their lives under a snowball sliding in April this year. Pakistan has proposed demilitarization of highest ever war zone on the globe in the backdrop of the natural calamity that ate up the entire frontline post.
Although India had initially rejected Pakistan’s proposal to demilitarize Siachin’s snowy borders over the peaks of Kara Kuram, officials anticipate the two Defense Secretaries would certainly ponder on the tragedy prompted peace measures.
“Indian Defense Secretary Shashikant Sharama has arrived here along with his delegation to participate in the talks,” Defense Ministry officials requesting anonymity told Online.
Defense Secretary Nargis Sethi would lead the Pakistani delegation in the talks and that the military officials from both the country would also participate in the talks.
The officials however made it clear to Online that they were not anticipating any break-through out of the talks chiefly because of a reluctant India to resolve the dispute at the earliest.
On Friday, Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony had cautioned India against expecting any breakthrough when defence secretaries meet in Islamabad.
Anthony had said “No dramatic announcement or decision” should be expected, thereby virtually dismissing any hope that the meeting offered.
“Do not expect dramatic announcement or decision on an issue which is very important for us, especially in the context of national security,” Anthony had said.
Earlier this year, Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani had said there should be a peaceful resolution of the Siachen issue. Kayani’s statement had hyped hopes that a negotiated settlement to demilitarize the area might be on the anvil
During a visit to Siachen in 2005, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that the two countries should work to convert the highest battlefield into a mountain of peace.
The Siachen troop withdrawal issue has gained prominence following a massive avalanche which buried an entire Pakistan army forward operating base on April 7, resulting in the death of 129 soldiers and 11 civilian contractors.
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