ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top defence and security officials are examining the ‘Indian roadmap’ of troops’ withdrawal from Siachen but official circles here see no chance of earlier resolution to the dispute owing to New Delhi’s insistence on authentication of positions currently held by the troops of two states.

In accordance with the roadmap provided by India to Pakistan, the Indian troops could be withdrawn to the positions held by the two sides prior to the Simla accord.

However, at the same time Indians have attached a condition of authentication of positions that the troops of two states were currently holding, something that was unacceptable to Pakistan, said a senior official here Saturday requesting anonymity.

“Pakistan is ready for troops’ withdrawal from Siachen glacier only if India drops its insistence on the authentication of current positions being held by the Pakistani and Indian troops,” he added.

“Unless and until that is done, Islamabad is not ready to accept any roadmap for the troops’ withdrawal from the world’s highest battleground,” he said.

The diplomatic sources, however, said that despite the clear position adopted by Pakistan, the Indian roadmap on Siachen was being studied by the senior defence officials as efforts were underway through diplomatic channels to prevail upon India for softening its stance on the military positions’ authentication in Siachen area.

When asked why does Pakistan refuse to accept Indian demand of authentication of positions, a source said that Pakistani government believes that India resorted to aggression in 1984 in Siachen and the authentication would simply means to validate that aggression.

Pakistan and India have held extensive talks on Siachen glacier since the commencement of peace process back in January 2004.

However, these talks proved fruitless and now another round of formal talks on this issue would be held when both the sides announce the third phase of composite dialogue.

However, the sources said both the sides could hold talks on the demilitarisation of Siachen glacier through the back channel diplomacy which has been far more successful as compared to the formal talks between the two sides. - Internews