India , Pakistan to discuss Siachen issue

 Defense Secretaries of India and Pakistan met Monday here for the very first time after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 to discuss the long outstanding issue of Siachen in Kashmir.

Siachen, the world's highest militarised zone, has been a flash point in between India and Pakistan over variations on the place with the 110-km long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) which passes via the Soltoro Ridge and Siachen Glacier.

"The two countries have made the decision to demilitarize the Siachen Glacier, but the matter is stuck as you'll find apprehensions on both sides," officials in the Indian Defense Ministry told Xinhua.

Indian Defense Secretary Pradeep Kumar is leading the Indian delegation in the two-day talks with his Pakistani counterpart Syed Ather Ali.

The defense secretary-level talks between the two countries on Siachen date back to 1985 when Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Pakistani President General Zia-ul-Haq created the decision.

India desires Pakistan to mark the AGPL, both on the map and also the ground, as it occupies most of the dominating posts on the Saltoro Ridge. Alternatively, Pakistan wants to sustain the pre-1972 troop positions as agreed within the Simla Agreement.

Responding to Pakistan Army's advance within the glacier in 1984, India launched "Operation Meghdoot" and deployed troops in most of the dominating positions within the place.

The Pakistani Defense Secretary will call on Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony later.

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