NEW DELHI, May 23: Indian and Pakistani officials were locked in a battle of nerves on Tuesday over the disputed Siachen glacier from where they are committed to withdraw troops but lack the trust to do so without tangible assurances that will prevent future transgressions.
Both sides have been mandated by their political leadership to expedite the search for a solution. It now mainly revolves around India’s demand that the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) held by their troops be clearly identified and Pakistan’s refusal to do so over fears that it could fortify India’s future claims in the region.
Adding to the parleys is the fact that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is keen to go to Srinagar on Wednesday with palpable progress on Siachen, which he says should be converted into a ‘Mountain of Peace’.
Opening the two-day discussions, both sides tried hard to narrow down the differences in the procedure to authenticate their stated positions in the barren and hostile Saltoro Ridge, which stretches along 120km on which runs the AGPL.
Officials close to the talks said a result might be produced on Wednesday if one or both sides signalled a change of heart. “Right now it’s a game of poker being played,” one official said.
Sources said Pakistan was hoping to offer a compromise formula whereby authenticated documents would become annexure and not part of the main document.
NEW DELHI, May 23: Indian and Pakistani officials were locked in a battle of nerves on Tuesday over the disputed Siachen glacier from where they are committed to withdraw troops but lack the trust to do so without tangible assurances that will prevent future transgressions.
