No link between progress on Siachen, other bilateral issues: Government

NEW DELHI: India today said it does not see any link in making progress with Pakistan on the demilitarisation of Siachen glacier with resolving other bilateral issues.

Government sources said differences in the stand taken by the two neighbouring countries on position of troops at the world's highest battlefield remained and that they have not been able to bridge the gap so far.

The sources, however, said that India does not see any specific linkage in finding a solution to Siachen with other bilateral issues like Sir Creek.

Earlier this week, India and Pakistan held defence secretary-level talks in Islamabad but failed to make any headway in ending the military standoff on Siachen with both sides sticking to their stated positions.

At the end of two-days of talks, they merely committed themselves to "serious, sustained and result-oriented efforts" for an amicable settlement of the issue, while acknowledging that "the ceasefire (in Siachen) was holding since 2003."

The sources said that talks between India and Pakistan are taking place on the basis of the Composite Dialogue Process.

The two countries will try to make progress in resolving bilateral issues wherever they can, they added.