New Delhi: "Pakistan doesn't need Siachen. Islamabad has no hidden motives and will not make any attempt to occupy the glacier."
This is what Pakistan has reportedly conveyed to New Delhi through diplomatic channels in a bid to pave the way for an agreement on demilitarisation of Siachen, Pakistan's The Nation newspaper claimed on Friday.
The newspaper quoted Pakistani officials to suggest that an agreement on Siachen between the two neighbouring countries appeared "imminent" with Pakistan assuring India that its forces would not occupy the glacier if Indian troops pull out from there.
"This assurance has been conveyed to India to make way for a breakthrough on the vital issue," a Pakistani official told the newspaper. There was no immediate official confirmation of the report.
According to the report, Islamabad has told New Delhi that any fears and concerns on its part that the snowy land, if vacated by the Indian troops, could be captured by the Pakistani troops are unfounded.
The newspaper quoted diplomatic sources on Thursday to suggest that the two nations are now on the verge of a breakthrough on the issue as New Delhi is likely to abdicate its intransigence and come forward to clinch an agreement on demilitarisation of the world’s highest battlefield following this assurance.
India has been demanding authentication of positions currently being held by the troops of the two countries on Siachen Glacier. However, Pakistan has refused to do so on the ground that it would be tantamount to validating the illegal Indian occupation of glacier back in 1984.
The Pakistani officials said in spite of this stand, India has been assured that Pakistan wants peace on the world’s highest battlefield and it has no hidden motives. Many soldiers from both sides have died at Siachen over the years, most of whom have died due to exposure to the extremes of winters than from enemy bullets.
The newspaper also claimed that despite an imminent breakthrough on the thorny issue of Siachen, the two sides are unlikely to make a formal announcement on the issue till the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister has accepted Islamabad’s invitation to visit Pakistan in next few months.
However, sources said that his visit would take place only in case of some breakthrough on Siachen or Sir Creek, the two important issues on eight-point composite dialogue agenda along with Kashmir, peace and security, Wullar Barrage and others.
A senior Pakistani official when contacted confirmed that hectic back channel diplomacy was under way to resolve the contentious issue of Siachen. Moreover, he said that the neighbouring countries have been discussing the important matter through diplomatic channels also.
Comments
0 comment