LEH, 13 June 2005 — Manmohan Singh, who yesterday became the first Indian prime minister to visit Siachen glacier, where Indian and Pakistani forces have been engaged in a standoff since 1984, said it was time to convert the world’s highest battlefield into a “peace mountain”.
Accompanied by Indian Army chief Gen. J. J. Singh and senior officials, Manmohan flew from here to the base camp on Siachen at Partapur where he interacted with soldiers and learned of the adverse conditions in which they are deployed.
He shook hands with soldiers and thanked them for their service on the glacier, where they have to deal with sub-zero temperatures, altitude sickness and hostile fire.
“Everyone feels proud of your patriotism but I wanted to get a firsthand view of how you manage here,” the United news of India news agency quoted him as saying.
“We are all worried about you and so I wanted to see in person how we can help ease your difficulties here.”
Manmohan reiterated there could be no redrawing of boundaries in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, over which the South Asian rivals have fought two wars.
India refuses any change in the existing frontier, while Pakistan refuses to accept the cease-fire line — or line of control — as an international border.
“We are not ready to accept any changes in this country’s existing borders,” he said.
“We feel these boundaries are not just necessary for our security, but they are also related to the honor and security of our country.” Manmohan, however, said that India will have to consider options to end the military standoff with Pakistan in Siachen.
Asked earlier in the day how long the Indian troops could remain deployed on Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir, Manmohan said: “We have to think on this.”
Manmohan was speaking to reporters at the airport here on his return from Siachen.
“I was privileged to go to Siachen where our brave soldiers are defending our frontiers so gallantly,” Manmohan Singh said before leaving for New Delhi at the end of a three-day visit to the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The visit to Siachen was a great emotional experience.”
Earlier, addressing the troops at Siachen, he indicated that India would not lower its guard as it pushed forward with talks to demilitarize Siachen.
He said India wanted to make Siachen a region of peace “where there was no scope for hostilities”.
“On this barrel land, there are many difficulties. But for how long can this situation continue?” Manmohan asked soldiers at Partapur, the Indian Army base camp for operations in the Siachen mountain range.
“There should be an atmosphere of peace so that this area becomes a symbol of total peace,” said Manmohan.
Indian soldiers are deployed at heights ranging between 15,000 feet and 21,000 feet on Siachen. More Indian and Pakistani troops on both sides have fallen to adverse weather conditions than actual hostilities.
The guns on the glacier have been silent since India and Pakistan agreed to a cease-fire along the frontiers in Jammu and Kashmir in November 2003.
Manmohan announced that two home theatre systems and a CT scan machine would be provided for the troops at Siachen.
“The country is proud of your sacrifices and discipline which should be a source of inspiration for all the people,” he said.
On China, he said: “Our relations with China are improving.”
