Pak must authenticate AGPL in Siachen: Antony

New Delhi, June 18: Any forward movement on the demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier lay hinged on Pakistan authenticating the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in the area, Defence Minister AK Antony today asserted.

Reiterating the Indian position on the issue, the Minister made clear that the question of ''any forward movement comes only after Pakistan authenticates the AGPL''.

''Discussions are continuing and there is no solution so far,'' Minister Antony told mediapersons here after inaugurating the two- day Unified Commanders'-in-Chief Conference.

Responding to questions, he said: ''Our position from the beginning has been made very clear that before any forward movement is made, we must authenticate the AGPL.'' The Defence Minister sought to downplay the recent controversy over the reiteration by China of its claims on Arunachal Pradesh saying it was ''not a new thing''.

''They have their own position, we also have ours... Our categorical stand is that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India.'' Pointing out that the border dispute was still ''unsettled'', he reminded the mediapersons that ten rounds of negotiations had already taken place and further discussions were to continue in future.

To queries on building of infrastructure by China across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Defence Minister said: ''They have the right to develop infrastructure in their territory... We, too, have the right to do so in ours....'' ''Whatever is needed for the Armed Forces and our people in areas near the border, we are doing... We are trying to hasten the infrastructure development process in the border areas....'' The Defence Minister averred that the building of infrastructure along the LAC was ''not a new thing''.

''China has been building a lot of infrastructure, rails, airports, roads... We are also doing the same thing... Nobody can prevent us....'' The Defence Minister further rejected any role for the Armed Forces in tackling the rising Maoist menace in the country.

''We don't want the involvement of the Army in this... We don't want the Army to tackle civilian problems... It is the duty of the state governments and the para-military forces... Of course, we can assist them by giving training and equipment....'' To a question on infiltration of terrorists from across the Bangladesh border, too, Minister Antony maintained it was ''primarily for the state governments and the para-military forces to take action''.

''The Army's role does not arise,'' he said.

UNI