Progress on Siachen but still some way to go

8220;But it will be premature for me to say that we have reached a stage where agreement is being signed,8221; he said. 8220;The two sides, among other things, are holding negotiations on the issue of authentication of ground position in Siachen. There are hopeful features in the present dialogue,8221; Singh said adding 8220;it is my effort to sustain the momentum.8221;

Asked whether the atmosphere was conducive for him to undertake a visit to Pakistan before the SAARC summit in India in April, Singh said 8220;when I go back to Delhi, I will talk to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who has just had a very useful and successful visit to Pakistan.8221;

Meanwhile, the Army today hoped that its views on demilitarisation of the icy battlefield will be considered before arriving at any decision.

8220;Army has submitted its views to the government on the issue. I am sure the government will keep them in mind,8221; Army chief General J J Singh told reporters here when he was asked whether the Army was ready for demilitarisation of the Siachen glacier.