Siachen demilitarisation only when Pak accepts conditions: Lt Gen Hooda

Udhampur (J&K), February 12

A top Army commander on Friday made it clear that Pakistan’s suggestion for demilitarisation of Siachen can be implemented only when that country accepts “some basic conditions” of India which are not agreeable to them.

“Our stand is clear. If we have to talk about the withdrawal (of troops from Siachen), first the actual positions on the ground, where we are today and where our posts are, needed to be authenticated.

“There are some basic conditions that have to be met before any withdrawal can be spoken about. Some of these are not agreeable to the other country and therefore, this agreement has not taken place...talks are going on,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Northern Command Lt Gen D.S. Hooda said at a press conference here.

His comments came in response to suggestion by Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit yesterday for “urgent” resolution of Siachen issue by mutual withdrawal of troops in the wake of recent avalanche tragedy there in which 10 soldiers died.

“These tragedies only reinforce the need to resolve the issue...urgently and through peaceful means, through dialogue,” Basit had said.

In response to this, the Northern Army Commander said, “Let me take it clear. We had a tragic event on Siachen. I see no reason at all to connect this to any withdrawal (of troops) from the glacier. It is unwarranted and incorrect.

“That is absolutely clear to us...We are committed to defend our borders and will continue to do so.” Asked if there was any difference between the Central Government and the Army over the withdrawal of troops, Lt Gen Hooda said, “There is one stand of the Army and the government. It is not that the government has a different stand and we have a different stand.” — PTI