New Delhi : India and Pakistan are likely to resume Defence Secretary-level talks by end April to discuss several issues including demilitarization of the world's highest battlefield - Siachen Glacier, and Sir Creek. "The talks between the two Defence Secretaries are likely to begin by end of this month where they will look to resolve Siachen and Sir Creek issues,"
a senior Indian Defence Ministry official told Press Trust of India PTI here. The dialogue on Siachen and Sir Creek issues would be resumed after four years, though both sides havemaintained a ceasefire since November 2003. The bone of contention in negotiations between two sides has been "delineation" of 110-km Actual Ground Position Line AGPL beyond NJ-9842 reference point, where Line of Control simply stopped in 1972 Simla Pact, up to Karakoram Pass.
PTI said India has been pressing for authenticating AGPL, both on maps and ground, as its troops occupy most of dominating posts on Saltoro Ridge, before there is troop disengagement, withdrawal and final demilitarization of the glacier.
Indian Army sources said demand for such an arrangement would be made to delineate AGPL before any agreement for withdrawal of troops is reached between two countries. India and Pakistan maintain a Brigade-level presence across 6,300-metre glacier where weather conditions and icy terrain claim more lives than bullets. Sir Creek dispute lies in interpretation of maritime boundary line between Kutch in India and Sindh inPakistan. Talks between Home Secretaries of both countries were held last week in Delhi and their Commerce Secretaries are meeting on April 29.
PTI said India has been pressing for authenticating AGPL, both on maps and ground, as its troops occupy most of dominating posts on Saltoro Ridge, before there is troop disengagement, withdrawal and final demilitarization of the glacier.
Indian Army sources said demand for such an arrangement would be made to delineate AGPL before any agreement for withdrawal of troops is reached between two countries. India and Pakistan maintain a Brigade-level presence across 6,300-metre glacier where weather conditions and icy terrain claim more lives than bullets. Sir Creek dispute lies in interpretation of maritime boundary line between Kutch in India and Sindh inPakistan. Talks between Home Secretaries of both countries were held last week in Delhi and their Commerce Secretaries are meeting on April 29.
