NEW DELHI: Redeployment of Indian and Pakistani troops in the Siachen will be possible provided the two sides agree on the current actual ground position line, official sources said ahead of External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh's visit to Pakistan from October 2 to 5.

India and Pakistan would also have to arrive at an understanding on what would be done with the area where the troops were currently deployed. The sources indicated that India favoured plotting the further course of the Line of Control, which stops at Point NJ9842.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, during his visit to New Delhi in April, agreed that there should be some form of verification of the actual ground positions in Siachen, the sources said.

However, there was not much change in the Pakistani position at the subsequent talks between the Defence Secretaries. India remained hopeful of making progress.

During Mr. Singh's visit, India would raise the issue of a possible extradition treaty as well as a mutual legal assistance treaty. Also, New Delhi wanted a larger number of pilgrims and more religious centres added to the list between India and Pakistan.

Asked about the implementation of the April 18 decision to allow trucks to ply on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, the sources said the two sides would hold a technical meeting to decide on the kind of vehicles to be operated and whether these would actually cross the Line of Control or come till the LoC. Talks would also be held on the tradable commodities. The operationalisation of the Poonch-Rawalakot bus service would be discussed at the meeting.

Referring to Sir Creek, the sources seemed to suggest that there were no major differences. The problem lay in plotting the maritime boundary after a joint survey by the two sides.

While conceding that Pakistan wanted ``progress'' on Kashmir, the sources ruled out the possibility of territorial changes. The peace process, they argued, would go forward if cross-border terrorism was addressed.

During Mr. Singh's visit to Islamabad and Karachi, the India-Pakistan Joint Commission would meet for the first time after 1989.Two accords — one on pre-notification of missile tests and the other putting in place a direct communication link between the Indian Coast Guard and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency — would be signed.

In Karachi, the External Affairs Minister is scheduled to visit the premises of the proposed Indian consulate in the port city, which is to be opened by 2005 end.

Pakistan had identified a place in Mumbai for the consulate.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail