LOC19:56
16:56 GMT
NEW DELHI, May 28 (KUNA) -- A six-member Pakistani Defence team headed by
Defence Secretary Syed Ather Ali arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to hold
talks on the long-pending 'Siachen Glacier' issue, said Indian Defence
officials.
Better known for being the world's highest battlefield at the height of 21,
000 feet above the sea level, the Siachen Glacier lies in very difficult hilly
terrains (covered with snow round the year) between the two countries.
The two-day talks would begin on May 30. This would be the 12th round of
talks between the two countries. The last round took place four years back in
Islamabad.
The Siachen issue dates back to 1985, following discussions between the
then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Pakistan President
Zia-ul-Haq in Oman and New Delhi. The talks became a part of the composite
dialogue with Pakistan on all issues, including Kashmir, from the eighth round
of talks in August 2004 in New Delhi.
The latest round of talks comes in the light of the decision by both
countries to resume the bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues following
the April 2010 meeting between Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and Yousaf
Raza Gilani in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC summit. (end)
py.bs
KUNA 281956 May 11NNNN