NEW DELHI, April 28: India on Thursday appeared to harden its position on the Siachen troop withdrawal issue with Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh telling parliament that Pakistan must authenticate the ground position of troops before a pullback begins.

Mr Singh told the Rajya Sabha that the defence secretaries of the two countries are likely to meet next month or latest by June to find a “mutually acceptable solution” on the Siachen issue.

The issue figured prominently during the recent visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf to New Delhi, he said.

There was ceasefire in the world’s highest battlefield for three years and so there was no real tension to warrant fears that national interests would be jeopardized by a mutual troop withdrawal.

Mr Singh referred to reports of Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri indicating Islamabad’s willingness to withdraw its forces from Siachen area. But there were “unacceptable” conditions.

“Our position on the issue is that the authentication of the present position has to be the first step before any redeployment is considered,” Mr Singh said.

Meanwhile, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman, responding to a question regarding the World Bank’s response on the Baglihar issue, said: “We have received a reply from the World Bank recommending appointment of a neutral expert. They have also proposed a panel of three names.”

Pakistan says it was not obliged to authenticate India’s position in Siachen as these were illegally seized in violation of the Shimla Agreement.

APP adds: Mr Singh, who had held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri in this regard, said the defence secretaries of the two countries were directed to hold meeting by May or latest by June to find a mutually acceptable solution with regard to Siachen.

In his written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed said that during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to New Delhi, it was agreed that existing institutional mechanisms should convene discussions immediately with a view to finding mutually acceptable solution to the issue at a fast pace.