A SPECTER HAUNTING SIACHEN

We should look into the broad political dynamics of South Asian politics for a clear picture about Siachen problem. Demilitarization of this may be a direct invitation to China to attack this land.

- KEERTHIRAJ

Whole India mourned the death of brave warrior Hanumanthappa Koppada and his 9 associates in Siachen avalanche. Meanwhile the debate of demilitarizing Siachen glacier reopened with new rigor. Siachen is not only world’s highest battlefield but also the most dangerous one. To date Siachen avalanche swallowed the lives of more than 2000 Indian and Pakistani soldiers and also caused permanent disability to some soldiers. Each moment spending in Siachen is nothing more than losing your lifespan slowly!

Image Source: indianexpress.com

When United Nations declared ceasefire for Indo-Pak war in 1949, Pakistan already occupied one third of Kashmir and named that region as Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir) and India considered the same area Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). Then based on NJ9842 ceasefire line was identified. Later, the Simla Agreement of 1972, the Ceasefire line became the Line of Control (LOC). Twelve years later in 1984 Indian army received intelligence information that Pakistani army was planning to capture Saltoro ridge and it provoked Indian army to conquer this mountain range in advance. Pakistan's army has expressed deep dissatisfaction about this attempt of Indian army. Since then, Siachen is victimizing both Indian and Pakistani soldiers without discrimination. On the other hand demand for demilitarizing Siachen is also not a new phenomenon.

Two military powers of South India, instead of contributing towards regional stability, suffering huge losses because of Siachen issue made both India and Pakistan to suffer huge losses. According to the military strategic experts of both countries, this region can hardly relevant for strategic aspirations of both India and Pakistan. The huge resources being spent by both the countries on this area is sheer waste of money and time. Thus, according to most of the strategic experts demilitarizing the area is a better option and profitable for both the sides. First debate in this regard initiated during Rajiv Gandhi regime for the first time. In 1997, Inder Gill, a prominent General of the Indian army in his article, opined that both the countries wasting their precious resources on this strategically irrelevant region. He further suggested India should withdraw army immediately and unilaterally without expecting anything from Pakistani side! In 2012, Pakistani General Kayani also expressed his willingness to demilitarize this area, after 130 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a natural casualty. History proves, it is not the first time demilitarization of Siachen debate has emerged. 

However, because of some obvious reasons, India is not ready to give up its control over the Siachen area. Indian army is not ready to lose its hold over the area, which it conquered after facing enormous losses. Undoubtedly, the root of Siachen problem is traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan. It is evident that Pakistan showed so much of interest to capture Siachen, even during Kargil war. Withdrawal of Indian army directly provides an opportunity to Pakistan to establish links with Chinese dominated Aksai Chin. According to India's retired Maj Gen Dhruv Katoch, Director of the Indian Army’s think tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) Dhruv Katoch, we should look into the broad political dynamics of South Asian politics. Further, major General Dhruv warned, demilitarization of this area is a direct invitation to China to attack this land. Even if Pakistan showed interest to withdraw its army, but India learnt so many lessons from history and it is difficult to trust Pakistan. India has to take a middle path, instead of demilitarizing Siachen, we should think about modernizing our defense and new plans to standardize operations of our soldiers.  

        KEERTHIRAJ (krj492@gmail.com)

·   Currently serving as a Faculty for International Relations and Political Science at Alliance University, Bangalore. 

     

   (This article was published in Central Chronicle newspaper on 17 February 2016)