Siachen can become 'mountain of peace': Kasuri

Islamabad, Jan 17: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri has said the Siachen glacier could become 'a mountain of peace' if India accepts Islamabad's proposals on the issue.

''The Nation'' quoted Mr Kasuri as saying here that Pakistan welcomed the statement by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make Siachen a mountain of peace.

On the current status of dialogue on Siachen, he said Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan had proposed a package on Siachen to his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon during the New Delhi round of talks last November.

Mr Kasuri added Pakistan was awaiting a positive Indian response.

The Foreign Minister initially made the disclosure during a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart on January 13.

''Pakistan has sent proposals on Siachen to India that can help address New Delhi's concerns,'' he said.

Pakistani and Indian officials will now meet at an early date to address the issue.

UNI