FS-level talks will determine future of Siachen: JJ

Srinagar, Nov 3 (UNI) Army Chief General J J Singh today expressed the hope that India would keep its security concerns in mind while arriving at any agreement with Pakistan on the issue of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.

''We have conveyed our views to the government on the issue. We hope hat the forthcoming talks between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries will tell us what lies in the future,'' Gen Singh told journalists here.

However, he said the government would safeguard national security concerns while arriving at any agreement with Pakistan on the issue.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri had recently stated that hectic back channel negotiations were on between New Delhi and Islamabad and the two countries were close to a deal on demilitarisation of Siachen.

However, India dismissed Mr Kasuri's remarks that the two countries were close to an agreement on the demilitarisation of the 71-km-long glacier, which Pakistan claims, was occupied by India in 1984 in violation of the Karachi agreement of 1948.

India is apparently reluctant to vacate some of the strategic positions it occupies at the glacier, while Pakistan insists that the troops by the two countries be withdrawn to pre-1984 positions.

''The terms on which an agreement can be reached (on Siachen), are well known to Pakistan,'' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna had said.

The foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan would be held in New Delhi on November 13-15.

UNI AG VD HT1535