India must continue to hold on to Siachen: Army Chief

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 18:34

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Tags: Army Chief, India, Siachen, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh, Indian military

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of Pakistani push for demilitarisation of Siachen, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh on Wednesday made it clear that the Indian military would not like to move out of the "strategically important" icy heights for which a "lot of blood has been shed".

He said the Army has conveyed its views to the Government which has to take a final decision in this regard.

"It is very important and we must continue to hold that area and we have held that view always.... We have lost our lives and lot of blood has been shed to get into these areas and occupy the heights and positions.

"These positions are of strategic importance and we have given our concerns to the Government and now it is for the Government to decide," Gen Singh said in a media interaction.

He was responding to a query on India's stand on the Siachen issue. Pakistan has been pushing for demilitarisation of Siachen but India has maintained that this cannot take place without proper authentication by both sides of the present troop positions on the Glacier.

Asked if the Army believed that the Glacier has to be held under control then why the talks were being held, he said, "The negotiations are at government level and at the national level. Let us see, how these negotiations progress but we have given our point of view."

Gen Singh said the Army has not changed its views on the importance of the strategic heights which have been under Indian physical control since 1984 after the Army launched to Operation Meghdoot to occupy them.

Asked how much flexible India was willing to be on the issue, he said it was discussed during the 13th round of Defence Secretary-level talks held in Islamabad.

"This is one of the issues supposed to have been discussed and it was not concluded at that point of time and I think it will carry forward. I think modalities have to be worked out during the dialogue to be held next year."

Pakistan Army Chief Gen Pervez Kiyani had recently made another pitch for the demilitarisation of the Glacier after losing over 100 soldiers in Gyari there in an avalanche.

PTI

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First Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 18:33

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Tarun - Delhi
It will be shear stupidity if govt. of India without any writing from pak. govt. withdraws the troop. The strategic needs are immense and time is our side now. Pakistan has done what it could do to kill us,mame us, destablise us. We stood as rock now is the time for us to cultivate what oour jawans have sacrificed for beloved motherland. politicians should not bow down for some votes and let the nation down as they did in 1971 by giving back areas and POW without getting any thing concreet back. Jai hind.

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Deepak Narain - Gurgaon
Pakistan has proved umpteen times that it is most undependable and treacherous and can back out on its commitment any time. Because they are presently finding it unviable to stay near Siachen, they are persuading India to demilitarise the area. They may change their stand and position any time thereafter and may occupy the strategic positions now held by us leaving India to send protest notes and hurt, to be ignored. All the more so when they have China as a close ally. But, our gullible leadership may succumb if pressed a little more. We spend crores daily to hold on to that position and agreeing now to give up that advantage would be treason. Yet, I would not be surprised if our authorities would eventually bend to accommodate the sweetened friendly suggestion of Pakistan, to repent later.