Indo-Pak need time to unravel Siachen issue: Antony

A K Antony said defence secretaries would continue to meet to resolve this 'complicated' issue.

India and Pakistan need more time to resolve the “complicated” Siachen issue and have agreed to continue the dialogue process further,Defence Minister A K Antony said here today.

“It is a very complicated issue,both sides need more time to study this. Defence Secretaries of both sides will meet again at a mutually convenient time,” Antony told

reporters on the sidelines of a function organized by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Story continues below this ad

He was asked about the progress made by the two sides

during the two-day Defence Secretary-level talks which ended on May 30.

“Talks happened in a cordial atmosphere and both sides agreed that we need more time to discuss,so the discussion will continue. Only decision is that the next round of talks will happen in Islamabad,” Antony said.

The Defence Minister did not reply to queries relating to the ‘non-paper’ presented by Pakistan on the Siachen issue during the talks.

“It was a free and frank discussion in a cordial atmosphere,” he replied.

Story continues below this ad

Following a series of discussions,Pakistani side had handed over a ‘non-paper’ (an unofficial document) on Siachen which contained its stated position on demilitarisation and other related issues.

Defence Ministry officials have said that the documents produced under the ‘non-paper’ are being studied by senior officials.

Though no decision was reached on Siachen,both India and Pakistan acknowledged that there was ceasefire in the area since November 2003 and presented their positions and suggestions towards the resolution of the issue.

The six-member Pakistani delegation was led by its Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Athar Ali.

Story continues below this ad

The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and the delegation included senior officers from Indian Army and Surveyor General of India.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram