3 August 2020, NIICE Commentary 5762
Yashaswini Patel D.
Siachen Glacier, located in the East Karakoram ranges of Himalayas, is near the Line of Control (LOC) at the northern most point NJ9842. It is the second largest glacier with average elevation of 17,770 feet above the sea level. It is known as the highest battlefield in the world. As India claims the entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir and union territory of Ladakh, Siachen glacier has largely become a non-negotiable part and symbol of pride for the country. Interestingly, in the Karachi agreement (1949) and the Shimla agreement (1972), there was no mention of which country would control the region beyond NJ9842.
For 37 years, the glacier was a no-man’s land and in 1981, enthusiastic mountaineers from Europe and the United States sought permission from the Government of Pakistan to access the glacier. This alarmed the Indian government. According to the report of Col Kumar’s expedition, Pakistan had been permitting the mountaineers from 1974 without keeping India in the loop. In 1983, India consciously sent two patrols to Siachen glacier named Polar Bear -1 and Polar Bear-2 to examine the situation. Later, Indian Intelligence agencies found that Pakistan had ordered for Alpine clothing and the various equipments used by mountaineers. As a result, the Siachen conflict started in 1984 after Indian army conducted “Operation Meghdoot” wherein it successfully heli-dropped a team, which captured strategic points on the Saltoro ridge. This team, within a few days, was able to occupy three major passes -Bila Fond La, Sia La and Indira Col.
Strategic Importance of Siachen Glacier
It is necessary to understand the strategic importance of Siachen glacier. Significantly, it is the most crucial source of fresh water in the region. Nubra valley, located in the Ladakh region, receives water from the Nubra river, which is traced to Siachen glacier. This river joins the Shyok river and which further meets the Indus river. The Saltoro Ridge serves as a division between, Pakistan administered Kashmir and China which gives India advantageous position to safeguard Kargil and Leh bases from Pakistan and China. India’s position on Siachen helps in protecting the Karakoram highway, which connects the Aksai Chin and the Khunjarab pass.
India has forward bases on the ridges of Saltoro, namely Indira Col (22,000 feet), Pahalwan (20,000 feet), Bila Top (18,600 feet) and Kumar (16,000 feet). These posts act as a watch tower, eyeing the activities in Pakistan administered Gilgit and Baltistan as well as the Shaksgam region, which was illegally ceded by Pakistan to China. National highway-1D (NH-1D), which is known as the Srinagar-Leh highway, has been instrumental in connecting the region of Ladakh with Jammu and Kashmir. In the light of this, Siachen further provides a strategic position in protecting the highway.
Challenges
Indian government spends about INR 50 million per day and INR 30,000 million annually to sustain its position on the Siachen glacier. Indian soldiers, before being deployed at the glacier, receive a personal kit that is worth INR 100,000 to protect themselves from the severe cold. Along with the kit, they also receive equipments that are worth INR 150,000 for endurance. Ever since the occupation in 1984, studies show that less than 3 percent of the casualities have been due to enemies’ actions and 97 percent is due to the weather condition. It is normally observed that height of an elevated place usually offers a tactical position. But it is quite opposite in case of Siachen especially at the Gyong La pass.
Dialogue Over De-escalation
The major drawback of discussions over de-escalation is the trust factor between India and Pakistan. It is apparent that the memories of Kargil conflict of 1999 are still fresh in the minds of Indian and Pakistani policy-makers. The process of de-escalation over the Siachen glacier was first discussed between the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi and the then President of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haq in 1985. At that time, Islamabad had faulted New Delhi for violating the Shimla agreement. India objected the accusations and proposed for a demilitarised zone.
Thereafter, there were series of talks that were held between the two countries regarding the de-escalation of the armies in Siachen. As a follow up, the second round of talks were held in June 1986, the third round in 1988 and fourth round in 1988. India stressed on the ceasefire and demarcation of the boundary till LOC where the Indian troops were present. However, Pakistan subsequently rejected the proposal. In 1989, the fifth round of talks were held wherein India proposed for the establishment of demilitarised zone and cessation of cartographic aggression by Pakistan. The sixth round was held in 1992 in which much of the emphasis was put forth on the disengagement, maintenance of peace and tranquility in Siachen. The seventh round was held in 1997 and it was a mere meeting with no fruitful result. In total, 13 rounds of peace talks have been held with no progress. There is always a disagreement by Pakistan government on who should control the Siachen. This is a major obstacle on the negotiating table for de-escalation. On the other hand, according to some scholars, for negotiations over Siachen glacier, Pakistan has been open for talks, but India is not ready to compromise its position as the term “thence North to the glacier” has been interpreted very differently by both the parties.
Siachen Peace Park
The most effective agreement reached on the Siachen glacier was in 1989, which suggested trans-boundary peace park. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to the Siachen base camp in 2005, also suggested to make the entire Siachen region into a Peace Park, which would be a peaceful way out. Siachen has no natural resources nor any habitable population. It was believed that it would be a great way to solve the issue and cherish the region filled with eternal beauty. Further, military presence in the region would degrade the environment. This park can be monitored by the aerial surveillance and ground based surveillance, which would ensure both control and serve the objective of de-escalation.
The present policy of New Delhi regarding Siachen is completely related to the strategic advantage of the glacier. Prime Minister Modi’s government has suspended the talks with the Pakistan government in the light of Uri attack and has promised not to resume any talk unless Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism.
Conclusion
After 36 years of occupation, analysts and army personnel offer mixed opinion on the strategic necessity of the Siachen. Many argue that it is necessary to maintain position on Glacier for protecting the Ladakh region. Retired Army personnels opine on the complex nature of the Siachen by criticizing it as India’s “Strategic Blunder”. Despite several challenges, India has maintained a strong position on the glacier. Talks for de-escalation have failed due to the trust dearth. Currently, the relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated due to the cross-border terrorism by Pakistan. This has left no room for de-escalation and peace talks over Siachen glacier. That has kept the South Asian region from emerging peaceful and with the current scenario, the status quo is expected to stay.
