Pakistan on Monday summoned a senior diplomat of the Indian High Commission to the foreign office and lodged a protest against Indian plans to open the disputed Siachen Glacier to tourists.

The Indian diplomat was told that both countries were engaged in resolving the dispute and the Indian move would seriously jeopardise the negotiations.

It took notice of the reports that the Indian Army was planning to take a group of trekkers to the Himalayan glacier, where both countries had fought bloody skirmishes since 1984 across what is known as the world’s highest battlefield.

“The Indian deputy high commissioner was told that the Indian plans to open up the disputed territory for tourists was viewed with deep concern by Pakistan,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a weekly briefing.

“The area remains a conflict zone and the reported move by India to open up Siachen for tourism could aggravate the situation with serious consequences that could vitiate the atmosphere for the ongoing peace process.”

The dialogue process launched in a summit between Musharraf and former Indian premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee in January 2004 has slowed down because of Musharraf’s domestic troubles since March this year. The talks have led to an improvement in sporting, transport and diplomatic links but as yet no substantial progress on their main dispute -- the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The conflict started when Pakistani troops found during normal deployment in summer 1984 that India had already occupied some salients in the remote Siachen region, 5,500 metres above sea level. It led to many clashes. However, both sides have lost more soldiers to altitude sickness and biting cold than to hostile fire.