After three years,India and Pak begin talks on Siachen

India and Pakistan resumed talks on the disputed Siachen glacier after a three-year gap,with sources saying they were cordial and constructive.

India and Pakistan on Monday resumed talks on the disputed Siachen glacier after a three-year gap,with sources saying they were cordial and constructive.

Talks on the disputed land were held in the Capital between the two Defence Secretaries for the first time after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Sources said both sides made presentations on their perception of the glacier dispute. The approach on both sides was constructive. Talks were held in a positive framework and in a cordial atmosphere.

While not much progress is expected in the 12th round of talks,Mondays meeting marked a thaw in the relationship between India and Pakistan after the Mumbai attack. Talks will conclude on Tuesday. Sources said Indian Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and his Pakistani counterpart,Lt. Gen. (retd) Syed Athar Ali met for a one-on-one meeting on Monday morning that lasted almost half an hour,which was followed by delegation-level talks. The visiting Pak official also called on Defence Minister AK Antony.

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India is expected to stick to its stance that the Line of Control (LoC) runs from point NJ 9842 along the watersheds formed by the Saltoro ridge that puts the entire Siachen glacier within Indian territory.

Pakistan claims the line joins point NJ 9842 with the Karakoram pass that lies towards the north west.