HYDERABAD (India): India on Thursday welcomed Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s remarks on resolving the Siachen issue and demilitarisation there, and said the money spent on deployment of troops could be spent on development of the two countries.

According to Times of India, Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju said: “I am glad that our neighbouring country Pakistan is also realising the challenges and the economic problems of maintaining troops on the Siachen Glacier.”

Observing that the deployment of troops in glacial heights took a heavy economic toll, he said both the countries had their concerns. “They have their concerns and we have our concerns but it does take an economic toll. This money can be better spent on development of both countries,” the minister said.

Official sources in Delhi also termed the remarks a “positive development” since they were made by none other than Pakistan Army Chief, reflecting the readiness of the military to resolve the issues between the two countries.

“One has to see who has made the remark, when it is made and the place. All this is very positive,” they said.

Gen Kayani, while visiting Skardu in Northern Pakistan on Wednesday, after the region was hit by an avalanche resulting in deaths of a number of civilians and military personnel, had spoken in favour of resolving issues between India and Pakistan and their peaceful co-existence.

“All issues should be resolved and peaceful co-existence is very necessary for both countries. There is no doubt about that,” he had said, hoping that the Siachen issue was “resolved so that both the countries don’t have to pay the cost”.—Dawn Monitor