ISLAMABAD: Defense Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India on Siachen and Sir Creek disputes concluded yesterday after an exchange of proposals. The next round of talks will be held in New Delhi.
Defense Secretary Nurgis Sethi was heading the Pakistani delegation while Indian counterpart Sashi Kant Sharma led the visiting delegation.
Pakistan demanded India to expedite negotiations process to save the deteriorating environment in the mountain peaks.
“During friendly and good environment negotiations Pakistan raised the issue of environmental degradation in Siachen and also expressed our desire of expediting talk process. The Indian team expressed that they need mandate, but they would communicate these to Indian government,” said Nurgis Sethi.
Indian counterpart Shashi Kant Sharma said they don’t have mandate to sign any deal but are moving forward, “We are happy. We have moved forward during the talks,” he said.
This was the 13th round of talks between two countries, but despite several proposals from both the sides no agreement has been reached. Yet experts said that political will on both the sides, especially from India, is required for any breakthrough.
“I really don’t foresee any concrete results of these talks as breakthrough is possible only when Indian political leadership made up their mind,” said Najam Rafiq, senior researcher and expert in Institute of Strategic Studies.
Pakistan signed cease-fire pact with India on Siachen in 2003 and also gave proposal of de-escalation by withdrawing forces to 1985 positions. But military expert says India is aggressor and needs to retreat from Pakistani land.
“There is no question of unilateral withdrawal of Pakistani forces as Pakistan did not invade but it was India who invaded Pakistani land,” said Lt. Gen. Abdul Qayyum Khan while talking to Arab News.
Both countries also agreed to continue and expedite talks with next session in New Delhi.
Since the Gayari incident in Siachen, three month ago that left 139 Pakistan soldiers dead during a massive avalanche at the Gayari battalion headquarters, demand in Pakistan has been increased to withdraw forces from mountain peaks of Siachen.