After two days of busy and heated discussions, a meeting of former diplomats, army and navy officers, and peace activists concluded with a framework to resolve the Sir Creek dispute which, along with Siachen and Kashmir, is one of the three main territorial thorns hurting India-Pakistan relations.
The “Aman Ki Asha” strategic seminar concluded with experts underlining that despite the existing impasse even after several bilateral meetings, the Sir Creek issue was not intractable.
“The solution is complex because of historical hostilities and linkages to other more weighty issues,”‘ a statement said, while pointing out that a successful survey was carried out in 2007.
The proposals on which both sides agreed included de-linking the maritime boundary from that of land and delineation from seaward to a point where both sides concur.
It was also proposed and agreed upon that the non-delineated area be declared a free zone, or a maritime sensitive zone, or even wetland of significance, or be turned into a jointly administered maritime park.
“The non-delineated area (Sir Creek and approaches) may also be designated 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,” some experts suggested.
The experts highlighted that as long as shore points were mutually acceptable to both sides, the boundary line delineated using the angular bisection method would undergo only minimal changes when the final baselines were established.
The seminar also saw several proposals being offered to resolve the Siachen issue. It was proposed that a comprehensive resolution be worked out and that the two sides should consider redeployment from the area despite territorial claims while retaining the option of punitive action should the other side renege on the commitments agreed upon.
One of the proposals suggested a seven-point sequential formula for Siachen. 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 (AGPL) on the ground and maps. The determination of the places to which redeployment will be effected would be jointly agreed on, it said, while adding that disengagement and demilitarisation would occur in accordance with a mutually acceptable time frame.
The formula called on each side to remove munitions and other military equipment and waste from areas under their control before 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 in the area for environmental studies while stressing on the need to resolve the issue bilaterally in line with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration without any change in the area’s status.
Besides this, the experts called for the establishment of a joint working group to recommend detailed redeployment and oversee implementation of the process with variability in process likely due to changing weather conditions.
They also called for force disengagement during summer besides determination of place(s) to which redeployment would 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 that an in-depth Kashmir conference be held to discuss all socio-political, economic aspects on the issue to arrive at major conclusions and practical recommendations.
