No breakthrough in Siachen talks

25 May, 2006

Fresh talks between India and Pakistan about the world's highest battleground ended without a breakthrough on Wednesday, with mapping the area still a major sticking point.
In a three-paragraph joint statement, the two sides said the talks had been frank, constructive and cordial and agreed to meet again on the dispute over the Siachen glacier.
Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, speaking shortly before the statement was issued, said the main obstacle was mapping bases and the frontline in the hostile region.
"Perhaps there can be forward movement in another round of discussions," he told reporters. "In this round of discussions, we could not make any breakthrough."
India wants the existing bases and frontline mapped and signed off on by both sides before any troop withdrawal.
"They are not agreeing to this proposal for quite some time and this ... area of difference is still continuing," Mukherjee said.
Recent media reports said the two sides had been edging towards a blueprint for a withdrawal.
Both sides fielded large teams of bureaucrats and military officers, headed by their defence secretaries, for the talks.

Read Comments