Wednesday, May 25 2005 08:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government last night (May 24, 2005) cleared the agenda for the India-Pakistan Defence Secretary-level talks starting in Islamabad on May 26 on proposed demilitarisation of Siachin Glacier, Sir Creek issue and other military Confidence-Building Measures (CBM).

The country's stand to be taken at the two-day talks, which will be the ninth in the series, was finalised at the two-hour meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security held in the Operations Room at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who presided over the meeting, was briefed on all aspects of Siachin and other issues.

Asked whether India expected any forward movement at the talks, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, "Let us see".

"We reviewed the talks held so far," he reporters after the CCS meeting.

A presentation, with the help of detailed maps, was made on various options for the Government on the Siachin Glacier.

Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh would be heading a high-level delegation comprising officials from the Defence and External Affairs Ministries for the talks with his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Waseem Ghazi.

Officials said India may be placing some new proposals at the talks but said the outcome would depend on Pakistan's approach.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the new momentum in Indo-Pak ties following a chain of CBMs.

The two-day talks on Siachin would be followed by a meeting on Sir Creek issue where the Indian delegation would be led by Surveyor General and also includes then Chief Hydrographer Rear Admiral B R Rao.

Officials said the two Defence Secretaries are expected to sign an accord on setting up of second hotline between the two countries linking the coastguard headquarters with Pakistan's Maritime Agency.

India and Pakistan have held eight round of talks on Siachin with their military experts virtually mapping out areas from where troops could be disengaged but India is insisting that Islamabad authenticate the Actual Ground Position Line with a grid reference from Point NJ 9842 near Kargil to Indira Col on the Upper Saltora Ridge.