AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 14 of 153 reference notes classified subject wise indicate that he has written the book not only on the basis of memory and his personal experience but also on the basis of detailed research. The contents of the book, apart from reflecting his personal knowledge and experience, also reflect the scholarly precision with which he authored this important work. This is the first lucid, comprehensive and fairly clinical account of the Indo-Pakistan confrontation at Siachen. In some respects contents of the book and its sub-title embryonically reflect the larger intransigencies between India and Pakistan. Given the present political standoff between them, and its implication for the regional security environment, this book is a timely and thoughtful addition to the reference material on Indo-Pakistan relations. {s ource: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020929/spectrum/book2.htm } 49. An interesting article authored by Uteesh Dhar which appeared in the Kashmir Sentinel during the fortnight April 1999, on the Siachen is reproduced below for your information. SIACHEN: THE STALEMATE CONTINUES 50. Engagement over Siachin glacier has remained a dilemma for both India and Pakistan. Are the two fighting only for military prestige’ Since 1984, the snow-warriors of India and Pakistan have been locked in supremacy for the control of Siachin glacier. Its inhospitable terrain has taken heavy toll of men and resources on both sides. Fiction and folklore have become mingled with Siachin warfare. Siachin being world’s largest non-polar glacier is also sometimes referred to as the third pole. It is 78 kms long and situated at an altitude of 5,472 metres above sea level. Siachin glacier is the great Himalayan watershed that demarcates central Asia from the Indian sub-continent. It also separates Pakistan from China in this region. ROOTS OF THE CONFLICT 51. The roots of the conflict over Siachin lie in the non-demarcations on the western side on the map beyond NJ9842 1949 Karachi agreement and 1972 Shimla agreement presumed that it was not feasible for human habitation to survive north of 9842. In 1949 after the ceasefire line agreement was signed between India and Pakistan, cease-fire line was delineated to a point north of Shyok river. A similar indeterminate Line of Control exists north east of Siachin glacier on the border with China. 52. Under 1963 Sino-border agreement, Pakistan ceded the 5000 sq. km Shaksgam valley to China. It lies to the north east of Siachen glacier. Article six of this agreement mentioned that the ‘two parties have agreed that, after the settlement of Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, the sovereign authority concerned will reopen negotiations with the government of People’s Republic of China on the boundary, so as to sign a formal boundary treaty to replace the present agreement, provided that, in the event of that sovereign authority being Pakistan, the provisions of the present agreement and the aforesaid protocol be maintained.’ Intriguingly, this clause was dropped by China in 1987. 53. To the east beyond the Shaksgam valley lies China’s vulnerable Sinkiang region. As nothing was demarcated on the map beyond point NJ9842, Shaksgam valley was a no-main’s land. China also stands in possession of forcible grab of 37,555 sq. kms of Ladakh territory- Aksai Chin. It built a motorable road from Gartok in Tibet via Rudok through Aksai Chin to