Bid to resolve Siachen row

India and Pakistan might be moving towards a resolution of the Siachen issue that, along with Sir Creek, was flagged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as one of the disputes between the two countries that could actually be resolved.

Singh made these observations as he launched the bus service between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib. They were endorsed by Pakistan Foreign Minister MA Kasuri who said both issues could be resolved so long there was progress on Kashmir.

As the defence secretaries of the two countries are going to meet at the end of May as part of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, indication of flexibility could be just a negotiating stance.

The issue is complicated. Siachen became a dispute with Pakistan on account of an error in the US maps. Pakistan permitted mountaineering and trekking expeditions into this region from its side.

In 1984, Pakistan would have moved into Siachen and presented India with a fait accompli over land that was disputed. This prompted India to authorise "Operation Meghdoot" and the Army occupied the Saltoro Ridge. The original border between India and Pakistan is, therefore, buried in history.

Now, to resolve the issue two moves are needed. India has to move it's troops back and Pakistan has to endorse the border that is currently known as the actual ground position line.

The Army's position is, the negotiation should take place in four stages. The first is to map the ground position; the second is to move out artillery from both sides. The third and fourth are to thin out the respective forward positions, move out of the rest, and occupy only key passes.

The dumps of ammunition and equipment lying in the area can either be brought back or destroyed.

But the maps for the border have to be endorsed by Pakistan that it refuses to do because it considers the territory under its occupation its own. The Army's position is that any solution to Siachen is possible so long as the political leadership underwrites it.

The new development that could break the stalemate is that India withdraws from Siachen unilaterally, while simultaneously getting world capitals to endorse the AGPL; and Pakistan accepts this position, withdrawing its own artillery as a gesture of good faith.

Intensive diplomatic efforts are on to create the groundwork for this resolution. Some forward movement could take place during the May meeting.