India and Pakistan could discuss the option of demilitarisation of the world's highest battle field, the Siachen Glacier, during Defence Secretary- level talks to be held in New Delhi next month.
While no breakthrough is expected in the first round of talks due to opposing stands on the ground positions held by armies of the two countries, demilitarisation is one option the officials of the two countries could discuss at the talks, Pakistani officials said.
During the talks both the countries would try to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement to withdraw troops to previous positions, failing which the two could consider the proposal to demilitarise the region, the officials were quoted as saying by local daily 'The Nation'.
Pakistan had rejected the demilitarisation proposal in 1989.
Pakistan officials have expressed hope that the two countries will sort out differences on Siachen through talks under the composite dialogue process.
Talks between the two Defence Secretaries on Siachen, considered one of the most contentious issue between the two countries, were held last time in New Delhi in November 1998 as part of the composite dialogue.
With the two countries resuming the composite dialogue process with Foreign Secretaries level talks in New Delhi, the Defence Secretaries of the two countries are set to meet again to discuss Siachen.
The two countries have agreed to hold the talks in New Delhi in the first week of next month and dates will be announced shortly.
