Defence delegations of India and Pakistan began their two-day talks in the Siachen issue on a cautious note at Rawalpindi this evening.

The talks led by defence secretaries SK Sharma of India and Nargis Sethi of Pakistan are designed to find an acceptable resolution to the issue in the backdrop of the calls to demilitarise the world's highest battlefield. The discussions, according to official sources, revolved around reiteration of the respective positions by both the countries and some broad ideas in search of striking a common ground to revolve a solution that has eluded for so long.

“The ultimate resolution would await agreement between the political leadership of both the countries that may take long time,” a Pakistani official said.

Before the talks began, Pakistan emphasised the need for demilitarisation and an early pull back of forces, while India wanted authentication, delineation and demarcation of the respective troop positions before any withdrawal. 

The bitter memories of the Kargil conflict loom over stiffening of India’s stance.

During the last round of talks held in New Delhi last year, Islamabad handed over a “non-paper” envisaging a roadmap for resolution of the issue. Pakistan had proposed immediate disengagement as a way forward.

Avalanche that killed 140 persons — 129 Pakistani troops and 11 civilians — on April 7 has lent urgency to the resolution of the issue. Countless soldiers and civilians have died on both sides more because of hostile weather-related problems than the occasional skirmishes. The catastrophic episode is believed to be one factor that may ultimately help soften entrenched positions though no immediate breakthrough is expected.

Ahead of the talks, Indian Defence Minister A K Antony cautioned against expecting any breakthrough at the meeting of the Defence Secretaries.

"Do not expect any dramatic announcement or decision on an issue which is very important for us, especially in the context of national security," he told reporters in New Delhi last week.

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security discussed the Siachen issue at a meeting last Thursday.

Second and the concluding round of talks will be held on Tuesday after which a joint statement is expected before the India delegation flies back home. The Indian delegation also met Pakistan’s new Defence Minister Naveed Qamar and visited Taxila on arrival on Sunday.