India, Pakistan to discuss Siachen

After a gap of seven years, India [ Images ] and Pakistan will on Thursday hold defence secretary-level talks focused on military de-escalation on Siachen glacier.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [ Images ], on Wednesday met for 90 minutes in South Block's 'War Room' to chalk out New Delhi's [ Images ] strategy.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani team led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan arrived in New Delhi. The general said his government had a "positive and an open mind" on the issue.

A joint statement could be issued at the end of the two-day talks, defence ministry sources said.

The delegations will also discuss the contentious issue of Sir Creek in Rann [ Images ] of Kutch.

Director General of Military Operations, Lt Gen A S Bhaiya, briefed the CCS on the troop deployment on the 72-km glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

Apart from the PM, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee [ Images ], Home Minister Shivraj Patil [ Images ], External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, and other top army officials were present.