News analysis: Army chief lays down terms for Siachen glacier demilitarisation

It may not be ideal in view of standoff in eastern ladakh and Chinese build up: experts

We are “not averse” to demilitarisation of the Siachen glacier but the pre-condition is Pakistan has to accept the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), said Army Chief Gen. Manoj Naravane on Thursday raising a fresh debate over the world’s highest battlefield with experts saying it may not be ideal in the backdrop of the standoff in eastern ladakh and Chinese build up. In contrast to the present comments, the Army chief had two years back termed Siachen as a point of “collusive threat” between Pakistan and China and so “we should keep control”.

However, with the standoff in eastern Ladakh and massive build up and expansion by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in sub-sector north which is very close to the Karakoram range and Soltoro ridge, several serving officials and experts noted it will not be possible for India to vacate the crucial positions on the glacier.

At the annual press conference, Gen. Naravane said, “We are not averse to demilitarisation of the Siachen glacier, but the pre-condition is to accept the AGPL. Pakistan has to accept what are their positions and has to accept what are our positions.” He said this is “quite parallel” to what is happening in eastern Ladakh. “You have to first disengage, only then you can de-escalate or de-induct, which is another way of saying demilitarisation.”