NEW DELHI, May 19 (UPI) -- Ahead of the meeting on the issue, New Delhi has said the authentication of the positions held by the India and Pakistan at Siachin would be the basis of discussions.
India has made it clear to Pakistan that any redeployment of troops on the world's highest battlefield would be within the current positioning of each country's forces.
"India's position on (Siachin) is that authentication of the presently held positions has to be the first step before any redeployment of troops is considered," junior Foreign Minister E. Ahmed told parliament.
Ahmed said no agreement has been signed between India and Pakistan on the Siachin issue, but the defense secretaries of the two countries will hold two-day talks in New Delhi from May 23 to discuss the resolution of the issues relating to Siachin, Seer Creek and other disputes.
The two south Asian neighbors have both expressed their readiness to redeploy their forces, positioned at altitudes of 16,000 feet and above in the glacier-clad mountains.
Following a mutual agreement, the two sides are currently engaged in discussing ways in which troops are to be withdrawn from Siachin.
Ahmed said India insists that a proper authentication be done with regard to the positions held by the respective countries, but Pakistan has yet to accept India's stance on the issue of authentication.
"India and Pakistan have presented various options or recommendations to each other on Siachin issue," said M.K. Narayanan, India's national security adviser.
"I don't think we have reached the final point, but are closer to that," he said, adding "India is keen on iron-clad guarantees from Pakistan to avoid a scenario in which it will have to reclaim the positions it now occupies."
