On the table for Siachen talks: freeze on troops, thaw in chill

The Indian initiatives will build upon the ceasefire existing along the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) since November 25, 2003. The idea, sources said, is to work towards demilitarisation of the world’s highest battlefield through implementation of such confidence-building measures. India itself at any given point in time has over 3,000 troops stationed on the glacier.

In this connection, India will look to suggest certain specific measures with reference to the AGPL. These would include:

• No increase in existing force levels in Siachen.

• No agressive attempts at capturing additional points.

• Avoid lateral movement of troops on the glacier.

• Total commitment against using artillery fire.

• Strict compliance on avoiding exchange of small arms fire.

• No violation of airspace in the region.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had shared the view during the latter’s visit to Delhi last month that Siachen and Sir Creek were issues that could be resolved soon.

This was reflected in the joint statement through which both leaders instructed their officials to hold discussions immediately ‘‘with a view to finding mutually acceptable solutions to both issues expeditiously’’.

Today, the Prime Minister was briefed on the Siachen Issue at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security and the proposals on confidence building along the AGPL were discussed in detail. It was felt that these measures, if implemented, could help address more complex issues of troop withdrawal and authentication of points.

Sources pointed out that India was open to redeployment of troops but it was important for both sides to agree on methods for authentication of current positions. While Pakistan insists that India ought to first withdraw troops from the region, India feels that given the positive environment which prevails in bilateral ties ‘‘new methods’’ of authentication could be explored and agreed upon.

The differences stem from the varying perceptions both sides have on the extension of Line of Control beyond the co-ordinates NJ 9842. This was the point up to which the ceasefire line in 1949 and LoC in 1972 were drawn. The Karachi Agreement of 1949 mentions NJ 9842 as the terminal point and states ‘‘thence north to the glaciers’’.

India suspected Pakistan of ‘‘cartographic agression’’ in the 1980s when it backed a mountaineering expedition to the region. In 1984, India sought to pre-empt any such designs and gained military control of the area. It has since argued that the line north of NJ 9842 would move along the Saltoro Ridge while Islamabad maintains that the line moves east of Karakoram.

There have been eight rounds of talks between the Defence Secretary so far and both sides came close to reaching an agreement in 1989 when a press release issued at the end of the talks stated: ‘‘There was agreement by both sides to work towards a comprehensive settlement, based on redployment of forces to reduce the chances of conflict, avoidance of use of force and the determination of future positions on the ground so as to conform with the Simla Agreement.’’

A broad understanding was also evolved in 1992 on a comprehensive solution to the Siachen issue, but no agreement could be reached. While either side blames each other for not sealing the issue then, the newfound momentum in the ongoing peace process has once again given the impetus to evolve a roadmap for demilitarisation of the glacier in an attempt to permanently settle the matter.