The impression one gathers from the assertions of the Chief Minister before the media persons on the occasion of passing out parade of 66 Deputy Superintendents at the Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, is that Pakistan is not interested in talks with India on the entire gamut of Indian and Pakistani stand on Kashmir. Political circles are mystified whether it is a fact. Circumstances do not support the contention that Islamabad wants only partial treatment to six-decade old Kashmir issue for one or the other reason. Chief Minister’s expressions generate the speculation that India and Pakistan might be considering the feasibility of ten or twenty year moratorium on Kashmir issue while Siachin could be discussed. Presuming that to be the scenario, why should it cause Chief Minister some resentment? He or his party would not be the losers. Political commentators will link this approach to such sections as are inclined to holding bilateral relations hostage to resolving Kashmir dispute.
If Pakistan is eager to work out with India a formula of demilitarization of Siachin, the reason for her to do so will not be significantly different from those that make a similar compulsion for India. Siachin is a demon on the top of the Himalayas that is devouring men, money and material of both the countries. Both countries have to make incredible investment in maintaining their military presence on the desolate icy death-bed of Siachin. One needs to look at this situation from objective and realistic point of view. Any person with humanism as his guiding principle will endorse the efforts of the two countries in forging a formula that leads to its demilitarization.
It is historically incorrect to say that Indo-Pak talks have been conducted in piecemeal fashion. After protracted interaction, the two countries have come to the conclusion that Kashmir issue being complicated to the extent of intractability shall have to be addressed only through step by step strategy. If several knots in mutual relationship are patiently but steadfastly untied, it would make space for final resolution of the main issue which is political resolution of Kashmir. It is in this background that despite many hurdles in the path, efforts are made on both sides to overcome these obstructions. Kashmir watchers have invariably recommended that peripheral issues could be taken up for final resolution and the path running through the dark woods would be cleared for an acceptable formula as an instrument to permanent solution of Kashmir issue. We think that Chief Minister is rather impatient to see the dispute ended. Of course every stakeholder wants that a solution should come as soon as possible. But the fact is that unlocking of the jinx is not possible through knee-jerks. Only patient and step by step strategy can show the way.
There are no two opinions that Siachin is integral to J&K State. That is the reason why the Government of India made great sacrifices in maintaining its control on the glacier. That is why Indian land forces have made tremendous sacrifices to be there in most hostile weather conditions. It should be recollected that it was the question of controlling the glacier that gave rise to Kargil ambition of Pakistan. As such there is no need to seek assurance that Siachin is part of Kashmir issue. The fact is that Siachin is being discussed by the two countries more from its geographic, topographic, tactical and strategic point of view rather than mere political. There have been a number of meetings between the officials of two countries on Siachin but without success. A new element has been added to the complex issue. Pakistan has allowed China to deploy thousands of PLA personnel in Gilgit-Baltistan region. China says that they are skilled workers deployed on developmental projects and needed by Pakistan. But according to Indian sources they are regulars of Chinese army with a military mission. Their presence in areas close to Siachin is an alarming phenomenon for Indian security perceptions. Therefore all these factors have to be taken into account while the two countries are engaged in talks on Siachin.
It is rather too hasty to say that since Pakistan lost 150 soldiers in a tragic accident of snow avalanche in Siachin, she is under pressure to find a path for demilitarization of the glacier. Pakistan has been there ever since India planted her flag on those heights. Pakistan has suffered the tyranny and vagaries of harshest weather and other difficulties for her troops as India has suffered. It will not be right to paint a picture of Pakistan under some compulsion and India to be the chooser. Siachin, Sir Creek, water dispute, and other outstanding issues between the two countries remain on the agenda of their bilateral talks. They have agreed to deal with these step by step, and the impending meeting of defence secretaries is part of the process. It is also in the process of confidence building measures.
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