Sunday, June 12 2005 10:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Siachen: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Jun 12, 2005) said time has come to make efforts to convert Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, into a "peace mountain" but asserted that there could be "no redrawing of boundaries" in the search for peace as it related to the country's security and prestige.

"Siachen is called the highest battlefield where living is very difficult... Now time has come that we make efforts that this battlefield is converted into a peace mountain" and talks were going on with Pakistan in this regard, Singh, who became the first Prime Minister to visit Siachen, told the troops deployed in Siachen.

Singh said, "In the pursuit of peace we cannot accept any changes in the established boundaries. We feel, these boundaries are important not only for our security but it relates to the country's prestige also. For this prestige, Indian soldiers are happily bearing difficulties here."

"Our efforts should be that such an environment of peace is created wherein nobody feels any threat and there is no scope for conflicts and this place becomes an example of peace," the Prime Minister said.

Hailing the contributions of the soldiers towards unity and integrity of the country, he told the soldiers that all there requirements would be met. Singh announced that two home-theatres and CT Scan facility would soon be provided in Siachen.

Singh said he was "very happy" and proud of the determination and patriotism of the soldiers deployed in Siachen.