Thaindian News

Islamabad, May 11 (IANS) Pakistan and India will hold discussions on the Siachen glacier row June 11 and 12, less than a month after army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani sought talks with New Delhi to demilitarise the world’s highest battleground, authorities here said.

The next round of India-Pakistan defence secretaries’ talks on Siachen will be held June 11-12 in Islamabad, reported Dawn Friday.

The announcement came after Pakistan sought postponement of talks on Sir Creek that were to be held in New Delhi next week.

The Foreign Office said the new dates would be decided through diplomatic channels.

Siachen was back in the news last month when Pakistan lost nearly 140 soldiers after a massive avalanche entombed the Gayari army base April 7.

The incident prompted Kayani to say that Islamabad was open for talks with India to demilitarise Siachen.

“Peaceful coexistence between the two neighbours is very important so that everybody can concentrate on the well-being of the people,” he had said April 18 after a visit to oversee the rescue efforts.

“Both countries should sit together to resolve all the issues including Siachen,” Kayani added.

Over a fortnight later, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that India should take “a bold initiative” to resolve the dispute over Siachen.

Khar said Pakistan believed that all outstanding issues with India could be resolved through dialogue.