21:07
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NEW DELHI: After two days of hectic and candid discussions, a meeting of former diplomats, military and naval officers and peace activists concluded on Monday with a framework to resolve the Sir Creek dispute, which along with Siachen and Kashmir are the three main territorial thorns in bilateral ties between Pakistan and India.
The Aman ki Asha strategic seminar, sponsored by Pakistan’s Jang Group and the Times of India, concluded with experts acknowledging that an impasse exists after many bilateral meetings and a successful survey carried out in 2007. But they underlined that the issue intrinsically was not an intractable dispute. “The solution is complex because of historical hostilities and linkages to other more weighty issues,” a statement issued said.
The solutions proposed included de-linking the maritime boundary from that of land and delineation from seaward to a point where both sides concur. The two sides were urged to resolve both issues, while continuing official dialogue on Sir Creek till either dispute is resolved or differences narrowed down.
They further proposed that the non-delineated area be declared a free zone/ maritime sensitive zone/ wetland of significance/ jointly administered maritime park.
“Alternatively, the non-delineated area (Sir Creek and approaches) may also be designated as a ‘Zone of Disengagement’ straddling the maritime boundary in which fishermen from the two countries would be permitted (under licence) to fish without fear of arrest and subsequent incarceration.
The experts highlighted that as long as shore points are mutually acceptable to both sides, the boundary line delineated using the angular bisection method will undergo only minimal changes when the final baselines are established.
On Siachen, it was proposed that a comprehensive resolution be worked out and that the two sides should consider withdrawing from the area despite territorial claims while retaining the option of punitive action should the other side renege on the commitments.
A seven-point sequential formula was proposed for the demilitarisation and delineation of the area. The formula called for the setting up of a joint civilian commission to delineate the line beyond the point where it remains unmarked besides a joint military commission to demarcate and authenticate the Actual Ground Position Line on the ground and maps.
The determination of the places to which redeployment will be effected would be jointly agreed, it said, while adding that the disengagement and demilitarisation would occur in accordance with a mutually acceptable time frame to be agreed upon.
The formula called on each side to remove munitions and other military equipment and waste from areas under their control prior to the withdrawal. It said the ongoing cooperative monitoring of all these activities and of the resulting demilitarised zone would be agreed to ensure/ assure transparency.
The experts proposed a joint scientific centre to be established in the area for environmental studies while stressing the need to resolve the issue bilaterally in line with the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration without any change to the area’s status.
Besides this, the experts called for the establishment of a Joint Working Group to recommend detailed re-deployment and oversee implementation of the process with variability in process likely due to changing weather conditions.
It called for force disengagement during summer besides determination of the place(s) to which redeployment will be effected along with the timeframe and mechanism for joint management of the demilitarised zone as recommended by the Joint Working Group.
The formula proposed the primary monitoring and verification mechanisms to be both bilateral and cooperative. “The two essentials will be monitoring and verification during disengagement and thereafter for the Demilitarised Zone to ensure no re-occupation of the glacier.”
The participants agreed the in depth Kashmir conference be held to discuss all socio-political, economic aspects on the issue to arrive at major conclusions and practical recommendations.
They sought gender balance at the conference besides ensuring adequate youth participation. It was stressed that the meet be held ideally in Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, with the inaugural session in one city and the concluding in the other.
“If this conference in Kashmir is not practical then it may be held in Lahore, Chandigarh or any other city.”
The Aman ki Asha strategic seminar, sponsored by Pakistan’s Jang Group and the Times of India, concluded with experts acknowledging that an impasse exists after many bilateral meetings and a successful survey carried out in 2007. But they underlined that the issue intrinsically was not an intractable dispute. “The solution is complex because of historical hostilities and linkages to other more weighty issues,” a statement issued said.
The solutions proposed included de-linking the maritime boundary from that of land and delineation from seaward to a point where both sides concur. The two sides were urged to resolve both issues, while continuing official dialogue on Sir Creek till either dispute is resolved or differences narrowed down.
They further proposed that the non-delineated area be declared a free zone/ maritime sensitive zone/ wetland of significance/ jointly administered maritime park.
“Alternatively, the non-delineated area (Sir Creek and approaches) may also be designated as a ‘Zone of Disengagement’ straddling the maritime boundary in which fishermen from the two countries would be permitted (under licence) to fish without fear of arrest and subsequent incarceration.
The experts highlighted that as long as shore points are mutually acceptable to both sides, the boundary line delineated using the angular bisection method will undergo only minimal changes when the final baselines are established.
On Siachen, it was proposed that a comprehensive resolution be worked out and that the two sides should consider withdrawing from the area despite territorial claims while retaining the option of punitive action should the other side renege on the commitments.
A seven-point sequential formula was proposed for the demilitarisation and delineation of the area. The formula called for the setting up of a joint civilian commission to delineate the line beyond the point where it remains unmarked besides a joint military commission to demarcate and authenticate the Actual Ground Position Line on the ground and maps.
The determination of the places to which redeployment will be effected would be jointly agreed, it said, while adding that the disengagement and demilitarisation would occur in accordance with a mutually acceptable time frame to be agreed upon.
The formula called on each side to remove munitions and other military equipment and waste from areas under their control prior to the withdrawal. It said the ongoing cooperative monitoring of all these activities and of the resulting demilitarised zone would be agreed to ensure/ assure transparency.
The experts proposed a joint scientific centre to be established in the area for environmental studies while stressing the need to resolve the issue bilaterally in line with the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration without any change to the area’s status.
Besides this, the experts called for the establishment of a Joint Working Group to recommend detailed re-deployment and oversee implementation of the process with variability in process likely due to changing weather conditions.
It called for force disengagement during summer besides determination of the place(s) to which redeployment will be effected along with the timeframe and mechanism for joint management of the demilitarised zone as recommended by the Joint Working Group.
The formula proposed the primary monitoring and verification mechanisms to be both bilateral and cooperative. “The two essentials will be monitoring and verification during disengagement and thereafter for the Demilitarised Zone to ensure no re-occupation of the glacier.”
The participants agreed the in depth Kashmir conference be held to discuss all socio-political, economic aspects on the issue to arrive at major conclusions and practical recommendations.
They sought gender balance at the conference besides ensuring adequate youth participation. It was stressed that the meet be held ideally in Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, with the inaugural session in one city and the concluding in the other.
“If this conference in Kashmir is not practical then it may be held in Lahore, Chandigarh or any other city.”
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