Time to make Siachen a 'peace mountain'

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (3R) is watched by Indian Army Chief J.J. Singh (2R) as he discusses cold weather clothing with a soldier at an army base on the Siachen Glacier, some 250km north-east of Srinagar yesterday. Singh became the first Indian prime minister to visit the world's highest battlefield -- the Siachen Glacier in disputed Kashmir. PHOTO: AFP

Singh is the first prime minister to visit Siachen, between 18,000 and 22,000 feet above sea level.

There has been no fighting on Siachen since 2003, when a ceasefire came into effect between Indian and Pakistani troops. But thousands have died in the past two decades with more soldiers killed by sub-zero temperatures, the high altitude and accidents than enemy action.

"The time has come that we make efforts that this battlefield is converted into a peace mountain," Singh, 72, told troops stationed there.

Singh reiterated there could be no redrawing of boundaries in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, over which the South Asian rivals have fought two wars.

India refuses any change in the existing frontier, while Pakistan refuses to accept the ceasefire line -- or Line of Control -- as an international border.

"We are not ready to accept any changes in this country's existing borders," Singh said.

"We feel these boundaries are not just necessary for our security, but they are also related to the honour and security of our country."

A ceasefire has been in place in Siachen and along the rest of the Kashmir border since 2003 as part of a gradual but steady peace process between the nuclear powers, which have fought three wars since they were created in 1947.

The overall peace process began in earnest in early 2004. It has moved slowly, but a recent meeting in New Delhi between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Singh went off well and has fed hopes of more progress.

PTI adds: Affirming India's commitment to settle the issue of Aksai Chin with China and Baltistan with Pakistan peacefully through talks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said efforts would be made to open trade routes with these areas currently under "foreign occupation".

He said talks would be held with China for opening up of the route to Kailash Mansarovar through Ladakh so that the time of pilgrimage to one of the most sacred religious place could be reduced.

"A big part of Ladakh, Aksai Chin, is under foreign occupation. In the same way, Baltistan (in Northern Areas under Pakistani occupation) is under control of foreign troops," he told a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for a 45 MW hydel power project in Leh.

"We are firmly determined to resolve these problems through talks with China and Pakistan so that people of (Jammu and Kashmir) can lead a peaceful life and can utilise their creative energy to take the state to new frontiers," he said.

Aksai Chin is a part of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan in 1947 and later ceded to China.

The Prime Minister noted that in earlier times, trading used to be done through Ladakh with Xinkiang (China) and Central Asia. "I will make an effort to ensure that relations with China improve and new trade routes are opened with that country."

Earlier, the Prime Minister said efforts were being made to open the route between Kargil and Skardu in Pak-occupied Northern Areas as people wanted to have trade relations with Baltistan and Gilgit.