INDIAN DEFENSE MINISTER DEMANDS DEMARCATION ON

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 000779 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR PBTS MOPS KDEM KISL PK IN SUBJECT: INDIAN DEFENSE MINISTER DEMANDS DEMARCATION ON SIACHEN ¶1. (U) Speaking to Indian reporters on February 10th on the sidelines of a conference on India and the ASEAN sponsored by the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, Indian Defense Minister AK Antony reiterated that any agreement with Pakistan over Siachen would be unacceptable to the Indian military unless Pakistan accepts demarcating its Actual Ground Position along a Line of Actual Control in the area to identify each side's current position. These comments came when a reporter asked Antony if he had any response to Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri's statements in Pakistan the same day that there had been a lot of progress on Kashmir, and if there were 'some meetings' on the issue, given the political will, it could be resolved. ¶2. (U) India and Pakistan first demarcated the Kashmir border as a Line of Actual Control before it became the Line of Control when both sides signed the 1972 Simla Agreement. Indian military leaders frequently point out that they will have a very hard time retaking their position of military advantage if Pakistan suddenly reverses its promises and moves to recapture the territory. ¶3. (U) Comment: Antony's remarks further highlight the difficult task Prime Minister Singh faces in seeking to resolve India's dispute with Pakistan over Siachen. MULFORD