Pakistan and India on Monday opened two-day defence secretary-level talks seeking an end to the decade-old dispute over Siachen Glacier where more soldiers have been killed due to harsh weather than battle.
“There are various suggestions from both sides that are being discussed. A joint statement will be issued tomorrow (Tuesday) when the talks have concluded. There should be no high hopes but we should take what comes our way,” a senior defence ministry official told this newspaper.
Ahead of Monday’s talks, defence minister A.K. Antony also said that people should not expect any major breakthrough at the meeting.
“Do not expect any dramatic announcement or decision on an issue which is very important for us, especially in the context of national security ... You cannot expect a dramatic announcement from one discussion,” he said.
The Pakistani delegation is led by defence secretary Nargis Sethi and her counterpart S.K. Sharma is leading the Indian side. The Indian delegation also met Pakistan’s defence minister Naveed Qamar later on Monday.
It is the 13th round of talks between the nuclear-armed nations on Siachen. The agreement on Siachen was almost reached in 1989 between former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her Indian counterpart Rajiv Gandhi. However, it was widely believed that the final deal could not be sealed due to opposition by the Indian Army.
The two sides again came close to striking an agreement on Siachen and Sir Creek during General Pervez Musharraf’s regime but political upheaval in Pakistan prevented the historic breakthrough.
“Even if the two sides agree on some points, it will be a big achievement. We cannot expect any big announcement after the talks,” the defence ministry official said.