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Rediff.com  » News » India, Pak exchange new proposals on Siachen

India, Pak exchange new proposals on Siachen

By K J M Varma in Islamabad
May 26, 2005 20:14 IST
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India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged new proposals with regard to demilitarisation of Siachen glacier, the world's highest battlefield, as part of the ongoing peace process between them.

The proposals were exchanged during the first day of the two-day talks between Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh and his Pakistani counterpart General (retd) Tariq Waseem Ghazi at the Pakistani Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Graphic: The Siachen Glacier Area

"Discussions on new proposals are continuing. We will meet again tomorrow to carry forward discussions," a senior official, who attended the talks, said.

He, however, declined to spell out the details of the proposals discussed by the two sides.

An official statement issued by Pakistan said the talks were held in cordial and friendly atmosphere.

"Both sides will hold further discussion on the subject tomorrow and a joint statement at the concluding session of the talks will be issued in this regard," it said.

Singh accompanied by other members of the Indian delegation also called on Pakistan Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal and Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid and discussed with them matters of bilateral interest, the
statement said.

Iqbal told the visiting delegation that it was in the interest of both India and Pakistan to seek the amicable solution of all outstanding issues as it would tremendously contribute towards the uplift and prosperity of the South Asian region.

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K J M Varma in Islamabad