Guns N’ Roses

Siachen Glacier is the highest and the world's most inhospitable battleground where Pakistan and India, two nuclear-armed neighbours, have been eyeball to eyeball since 1984. Weather is the toughest challenge in Siachen as most casualties on both sides occur due to the severe climatic conditions and not on account of any military skirmishes or grey zone conflicts between the troops of the two sides. Though both Pakistan and India fancy retracting from the deployed positions, yet the hostile environment precludes them from exercising such an option.

Derived from the Balti language, the word ‘Siachen’ is a combination of words “Sia” meaning rose while “Chun” refers to any object found in abundance. Thus the name Siachen implies a land with an abundance of roses. The 76-kilometre long glacier lies at approximately 6000 metres above sea level and happens to be the longest glacier in Karakoram Range and the 2nd longest in the world’s non-polar regions. It extends from Saltoro Ridge in the west to Karakoram Range in the east. It acts as a wedge between Shaksgam Valley, ceded to China by Pakistan and Baltistan. The average winter snowfall is about 35ft while temperatures can dip as low as -50 Celsius. It is thus an unpopulated territory.

The conflict in Siachen stems from the incompletely demarcated territory on the map beyond the point NJ9842. The 1949 Karachi Agreement and 1972 Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India merely stated that the Cease Fire Line (CFL) terminated at NJ9842 but both pacts did not clearly mention who controlled the glacier. It was understood that the boundary further to this point would run in the general direction of north. Perhaps, it was also presumed that there would be no dispute between both the countries over such a cold and barren region. Both countries, however, lay territorial claims over the glacier. Pakistan claims that the boundary further to NJ9842 runs in north easterly direction, while India perceives it to be running in the northerly direction. Post border agreement with China in 1963, Pakistan started giving approval to the western expeditions to the east of mountain K2. In the 1970s and early 1980s, several mountaineering expeditions applied to Pakistan to climb high peaks in the Siachen area and were authorised by the Government of Pakistan. This reinforced the Pakistani claim on the area.

Prior to 1984, neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence at Siachen. In 1984, apprehensive of Pakistani claims, India embarked upon a military expedition and captured important heights. In response to the emerging scenario, Pakistan also established its permanent position in the area. A litany of small-scale skirmishes and ambushes has taken place between the two armies since then and the issue also led to Kargil War between Pakistan and India in 1999. The dispute has been on the agenda during several rounds of talk between both the nuclear-armed neighbours, yet to no avail. Of late, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukhund Naravane stated that India wasn’t averse to the possible demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier provided Pakistan accepted “Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) that separates Indian and Pakistani positions.” What is implied here is the Indian aspiration of deciding the boundary in accordance with their own understanding vis-à-vis running north of point NJ9842.

Despite being a harsh territory, Siachen affords some military dividends to the country holding it. The control of Siachen by Pakistan can allow the country to monitor the activities and movements of the Indian armed forces in Ladakh. It may also give Pakistan and China a kind of strategic leverage to launch a coordinated operation against India as one of the measures of last resort. India by controlling the area can create a wedge thus denying Pakistan these perceived advantages.

Both sides have shown a desire to vacate the glacier as there are loads of environmental and cost concerns. Notwithstanding the Indian army chief’s recent statement on demilitarisation, there are certain factors that may not allow India to completely abide by its commitments. Indian occupation of Siachen Glacier in 1984 was merely based on the anxiety and fear that Pakistani claim on the territory was gaining more traction than theirs. The Indian army chief’s current statement on the issue can actually be interpreted as a wish to dispel India’s apprehension and fear forever while trying to assert and cement its claim to the disputed territory.

New Delhi, however, must be cognisant of the fact that fear and anxiety emanate from within. One can seek help from others to overcome it but dictating for the same is not a plausible context. India must also learn from history that territorial disputes are ideally resolved through negotiations and mutual consent. These can be shelved, deferred and delayed but can seldom be resolved with a belligerent attitude.