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Indian premier hopeful on Siachen issue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Jan 15, IRNA
India-Pakistan-Siachen
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday that 'progress' was being made by India and Pakistan on the contentious Siachen issue but termed as 'premature' that a stage for agreement to be signed.

"We have to take a holistic view of relations with Pakistan. We have had several rounds of composite dialogue in which Siachen, Sir Creek and other issues figured. We are making progress," he told reporters while returning from the Philippines on-board the special plane after attending back-to-back summits, PTI said.

"But it will be premature for me to say that we have reached a stage where agreement is being signed," he said.

"The two sides are among other things holding negotiations on the issue of authentication of ground position (in Siachen). There are hopeful features in the present dialogue," Singh said, adding, "It is my effort to sustain the momentum."

Asked whether the atmosphere was conducive for him to undertake a visit to Pakistan before the SAARC summit in India in April, Singh said, "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."

He said the future course of action will be determined after he has had a briefing from Mukherjee.

Meanwhile, as India and Pakistan agreed to expedite resolution of the Siachen issue, the Army hoped that its views on demilitarization of the icy battlefield will be considered before arriving at any decision.

"Army has submitted its views to the government on the issue. I am sure the government will keep them in mind," Army chief General J J Singh told reporters here when asked whether it was ready for demilitarization of the glacier.

His comments came two days after both the sides decided to speed up talks on Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, with New Delhi making it clear that it was not possible to fix a timeframe to resolve the issue.

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