PM for a peaceful Siachen

We are not ready to accept any changes in established boundaries: Singh

In a bold idea in the midst of peace process with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today favoured conversion of the Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, into a "peace mountain".

But Singh ruled out any changes in the "established" boundaries of the country, saying it related to the nation's "honour" and "security".

The first Prime Minister to visit the Siachen sector in Jammu and Kashmir situated at over 12,000 feet altitude, Singh said efforts should be made to create such an atmosphere of peace here wherein "nobody fears any threat, there is no scope for any conflict and this place becomes an example of peaceful environment."

Singh, who was briefed by top army officers about the prevailing situation, noted in an address to troops here that "Siachen is called the highest battlefield" where living is very difficult. "How long shall we allow such conditions to prevail (in Siachen). Now time has come for us to make efforts to convert this battlefield into a peace mountain."

Talks were going on with Pakistan in this regard, the Prime Minister added.

Emphasising that India wanted peaceful relations with Pakistan, the Prime Minister, however, asserted that in pursuit of this, "we are not ready to accept any changes in the drawn and established boundaries of the country."

"We feel, these boundaries are important not only for our security but it relates to the country's honour also. For this prestige, Indian soldiers are happily bearing difficulties here," he said.

Hailing the contributions of the soldiers towards unity and integrity of the country, Singh assured soldiers in this inhospitable sector that all their needs would be met.

Singh said he was "very happy" to meet the troops deployed here and proud of the determination and patriotism displayed by the soldiers. He said he had decided on visiting Siachen to see for himself the conditions in which the troops were living here.

"I wanted to see for myself as to what your living conditions and arrangements are and what are your problems and what the government can do to address those," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said the path of the future might be ridden with challenges and difficulties but with everyone's contribution those would be overcome.

Observing that there was improvement in the Sino-Indian ties, the Prime Minister today said India would take up with that country the issue of opening up of the route to the Kailash Mansarovar through Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We will make an effort," he told reporters at Leh airport when asked whether there was any hope of the Ladakh route opening up to the Kailash Mansarovar yatra.

"Our relations with China are improving. We will raise this issue (opening of the route) with them in talks," he said before winding up his three-day tour of the Ladakh region during which he visited the Siachen glacier and addressed troops there.

Singh had said yesterday that India would favour opening up of the Ladakh route for pilgrims as it would reduce the duration of the pilgrimage drastically.

Thousands of Hindu devotees undertake the yatra annually to the religious place in Tibet through a more difficult and long route via Uttaranchal.

To a question, the Prime Minister said the central government would do everything possible to ensure peace and prosperity of the backward Ladakh region. During the visit to Ladakh, Singh laid foundation stone for two power projects.