New Delhi, PTI: May 13, 2006
Saying that there is still “immense mistrust” between the two countries, Malik said India should only agree for delmilitarization of the Siachen Glacier after Pakistan agrees to delineation of the 101 km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) on the map or marking the position through aerial or satellite photography.

Former Army Chief Gen V P Malik has cautioned the country’s decision makers to insist on delineation of positions on Saltoro ridge before agreeing on demilitarization of the world’s highest battlefield.”Most people in India and Pakistan believe that demilitarization of Siachen is feasible as it could be the first political achievement in dialogue to take the peace process forward,” he states in his just-released book ‘Kargil – from surprise to victory’.

Malik says that it should not mean going back to the pre-1984 days when, without any delineation on the maps, it was possible for either side to lay claim or encroach into each other’s territory.

Saying that there is still “immense mistrust” between the two countries, Malik said India should only agree for delmilitarization of the Siachen Glacier after Pakistan agrees to delineation of the 101 km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) on the map or marking the position through aerial or satellite photography.

“It is essential to mark the ground position on the AGPL so that future verification is possible, if any party violates the agreement”, the General states.