Tourism in world's highest battle field is on

Sep 19: Regardless of Pakistan’s stiff protest the plan of Indian army is on to open up the Siachen glacier, the conflict prone region of India to adventure-tourists.

A trekking expedition comprising of a team of 20 including civilians and cadets from NCC under the guidance of Indian army was supposed to start from Sep 19, Wednesday but the recent objection from Pakistan has called it off to another day. But some belief that the expedition is postponed due to some technical problem as the defense ministry is yet to provide formal approval.

Pakistan to register its protest had summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner citing that glacier region is a disputed region and any action from Indian army will affect the ceasefire in the region and also the entire peace process.

India in response made it clear that it doesn’t need Pakistan’s permission as the region is a part of India and also in its control since 1984.

In fact this is not for the first time that such expedition is undertaken but a month earlier an Indo-French expedition to Mamostong Kangri Peak, 30 kms east of the Siachen glacier, took place. Even Pakistan on its part did allow mountaineering expeditions many times before. So there seems no logic behind the protest.

As per the record, the 1949 Karachi Agreement and the 1972 Simla Agreement couldn’t reach any conclusion and the glacier remains a disputed area till now. However, Indian army on April 13, 1984 managed to control the 70 km long glacier. In response Pakistan has already made several unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Indian soldiers but due to International pressure they were forced to come up with a ceasefire agreement on 2003.

Though both countries long since are advocating demilitarization but India first wants confirmation of India’s control over glacier. Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh advocates a peaceful resolution of the Siachen problem and had visited the glacier a couple of years back.

The recent plan of adventure tourism will further give a chance to international tourists to have a sight of the natural beauty of the region and also help in normalizing the complications created by both armies. It’s been four years guns are down but soldiers continue to die in adverse climatic condition.