New Delhi: India and Pakistan failed to reach a consensus on the long pending Siachen glacier issue during the Defence Secretaries meeting held on Tuesday after a gap of three years.
The Defence secretaries of Pakistan and India also released a joint statement on Siachen. Both sides acknowledged that the ceasefire has been on since November 2003 and agreed to continue discussions in a meaningful, result oriented manner.
India and Pakistan decided to resume the talks last year after Prime Ministers of both the countries met in Thimpu and decided to take forward the dialogue process.
There has been an agreement to meet at a mutually convenient date in Islamabad. This is the first time the defence secretaries are meeting after three years.
Defence Ministry sources say the first round of talks on Monday was constructive, but did not comment, if progress was made on the Siachen issue which is the main item on the agenda.
Talks have been deadlocked over India's demand that existing troop positions on the glacier be clearly marked on maps. Pakistan believes that would imply recognition of India's claims to the glacier.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and the Pakistan delegation was led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retired) Syed Athar Ali.
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