Thirteen rounds of talks to resolve the Siachen issue have already taken place between India and Pakistan, led by the respective Defence Secretaries, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
“Indian government has made it clear to Pakistan that the solution to Siachen Glacier is a part of the larger issue to include Pakistan’s support to terrorism in India.” he said.
Parrikar added that on December 9, 2015, External Affairs Minister met the Pakistani leadership on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia process for regional cooperation on Afghanistan.
“These discussions directed the Foreign Secretaries of both countries to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue on various issues including Siachen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Parrikar said Indian soldiers deployed in extremely harsh terrain and weather conditions are suitably equipped and properly trained to undertake the operational challenges and carry out their mandated tasks.
The soldiers deployed at Siachen Glacier are provided with quality winter clothing including ‘Extreme Cold Climate’ clothing.
Besides, they are provided with prefabricated insulated shelters and wherever it is not possible to construct such shelters due to technical difficulties, insulated tents are provided which can withstand low temperatures up to 500 Celsius, he said.
The Units are self-sufficient for a period of 240 days of supplies. During winters/cut offseason, daily maintenance of troops is carried out by rotary/fixed wing assets, he said.
BrahMos Chief Sudhir Mishra said the plan was to begin testing the missile from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets this year. The air-launched version of BrahMos, which at 2.5 tonnes is lighter than the 3-tonne land and sea variants, has already undergone ‘carriage trials’ on a Sukhoi in June. The ‘missile separation trials’ are likely to take place later this month.