ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan will strive to arrive at a "common understanding" on demilitarisation of the Siachen glacier before the next round of the composite dialogue in January.

A Joint Statement issued at the end of the two-day talks between External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, here on Tuesday suggested a forward movement on Siachen. It listed a number of steps contemplated by both sides to take bilateral ties to a new level.

Siachen, considered a possible confidence-building measure (CBM), is bogged down in differences over the conditions for withdrawal of troops from the glacier as per the 1989 understanding. India's insistence on the demarcation of areas under control by both sides is not acceptable to Pakistan. Islamabad's stand is that withdrawal has to be unconditional and it is not prepared to certify Indian "aggression."

Integrated approach

The latest understanding is to take an "integrated" approach. It involves six identified issues related to the glacier and working towards a common understanding before Siachen is taken up as one of the eight subjects under the third round of the composite dialogue. The six areas are: from where the troops are moving; where they will move to; how to define the areas of disengagement; a regime to monitor the implementation of disengagement; a verification mechanism on dos and don'ts on the glacier and what is to be done about NJ 9842.

According to a senior official privy to the two-day parleys, the decision to move forward on Siachen has been taken in the wake of a direction from the leadership of both countries to expedite a resolution. "We have understood each other's position better though there is no agreement yet," Mr. Kasuri, flanked by Mr. Singh, told a crowded press conference.

Concrete ideas exchanged

Earlier in the day, at a meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Mr. Singh, they welcomed the ongoing discussions on the "framework" to work out a mutually acceptable solution on Siachen. At the joint press conference with Mr. Singh, the Pakistani Minister said "concrete ideas" on Siachen had been exchanged and the two sides would continue discussions for reaching a common understanding.

That the bilateral relations are headed for a leap was also evident from the decision of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission, revived after a gap of 16 years, to take a close look at the possibilities of expanded cooperation in nine different areas. These include agriculture, health, science and technology, information and education.

Gen. Musharraf and Mr. Singh talked about the commitment of both sides to make a "sincere and purposeful" settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue as well. They reaffirmed that terrorism would not be allowed to impede a solution and maintained that possible options for a peaceful, negotiated settlement should be explored in a "sincere, purposeful and forward-looking manner."

Expressing satisfaction over the smooth operation of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, the statement said experts from the two sides would meet for launching a truck service between the two points and a bus link between Poonch and Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir expeditiously. It was agreed that an expert-level meeting would be held by the year-end to finalise the modalities on the meeting points for the divided families across the LoC.

At the press briefing, the Minister said India had presented draft proposals on visa liberalisation, consular access and allowing more pilgrims to religious shrines on both sides.

Gas pipeline project

Setting at rest apprehensions about the fate of the $7.4-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, in the wake of New Delhi supporting the IAEA resolution against Iran's controversial nuclear programme, the two sides affirmed their commitment to the project, saying it would contribute significantly to the prosperity and development of the two countries. Before leaving for Karachi, Mr. Singh exchanged views with Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the bilateral relationship.

On Sir Creek, without prejudice to each other's position, they agreed to undertake a joint survey in the marshy land of Rann of Kutch off the Gujarat coast and consider options for the delimitation of the maritime boundary. This will begin before the year-end and its report will be considered at the next round of the composite dialogue.

It was agreed that a meeting of experts would be held here on October 25 and 26 to start the Nankana Sahib-Amritsar bus service at an early date. A technical-level meeting would be held before the end of this year to discuss arrangements for operationalising the Rawalakot-Poonch bus link as early as possible.

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