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Pakistan gives detailed plan to settle Siachen conflict

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 17, IRNA
Pakistan-Kasuri-Siachen
Pakistan has given to India a "detailed and comprehensive package" to resolve the conflict over Siachen, the world's highest battleground, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said on Tuesday.

The Siachen glacier, located in the Himalayas mountains, is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second longest in the world's non-polar areas.

It ranges from an altitude of 5753 meters (18,875 ft) above sea level.

It is for India to seriously consider this matter, Foreign Minister Kasuri told newsmen in Islamabad.

He said the 26-year issue should now be resolved.

The two sides have held discussions on a number of bilateral issues as part of a major peace process that began nearly three years ago.

Both sides are keen to withdraw soldiers from Siachen, but cannot agree on how to pull them out.

India holds a substantial portion of the glacier and wants both sides to formally mark their current troop positions before any withdrawal.

Pakistan rejects the idea as it believes that it would be tantamount to accepting India's control over the glacier.

Pakistan accused India of increasing its military presence in an area belonging to Pakistan in 1984. India rejects the charge.

Fighting took place after Pakistan deployed its troops in the area to try to dislodge Indian forces. Both sides agree hundreds of lives have been lost in the last 20 years, mostly due to the extreme cold and high altitude rather than in combat.

More than 7,000 Indian troops and 4,000 Pakistani soldiers are still deployed in the area, according to military experts.

Regarding Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Kaasuri stressed the need for strict control at the Pak-Afghan border. He said it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to work for the improvement of the situation.

Responding to a question, Kasuri said Pakistan was waiting for proposals from Canada on taking security measures at the Pak-Afghan border regarding mining and biometrics.

2020/235/2321/1414