ISLAMABAD, May 27: The talks between Pakistan and India that started off on an optimistic note on Thursday concluded in Rawalpindi on Friday without breaking any ice on the Siachen issue. Despite the declaration in the joint statement that the two sides had “frank and constructive discussions” they failed to yield any positive result.

The joint press release issued at the end of the talks said: “The two sides held frank and constructive discussions with a view to taking the process forward. They expressed satisfaction at the ceasefire currently in place since November 2003 and agreed to its continuation.” Conveying that the talks remained inconclusive as in August 2004, it added: “It was agreed by the two defence secretaries to continue with their discussions to resolve the Siachen issue in a peaceful manner.”

Apparently, the talks broke down after the Indian delegation headed by Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh insisted on authentication of the existing positions, which was not acceptable to Pakistan. Pakistan is opposed to the demand as it believes this would amount to endorsing the Indian aggression.

The Pakistan delegation led by Defence Secretary Tariq Waseem Ghazi wanted an agreement on disengagement and redeployment, demilitarization, monitoring and verification mechanisms, it is learnt. However, the Indian side made it clear that any forward movement or agreement on the issue would be conditional to authentication of existing positions, sources told Dawn.

SIR CREEK: Talks on Sir Creek will begin here on Saturday. The two-day talks will be led by Additional Secretary, Defence, Rear Admiral Ahsanul Haq from Pakistan and Surveyor-General Maj-Gen Gopal Rao from India. The last round of talks on Sir Creek was held in Delhi in August 2004.