No dramatic decision on Siachen: Antony

Three days ahead of defence secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, Defence minister AK Antony on Friday stressed there would be "no dramatic announcement" on demilitarising the Siachen glacier — the world's highest battleground and an old sore in the bilateral ties.

Three days ahead of defence secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, Defence minister AK Antony on Friday stressed there would be "no dramatic announcement" on demilitarising the Siachen glacier — the world's highest battleground and an old sore in the bilateral ties.

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He said, "We have a very clear cut position (on Siachen). Don't expect any dramatic announcement... It is very important to us in terms of national security." He said India would stick to its guns during the talks in Islamabad on June 11-12.

Several rounds of talks have failed because Pakistan refuses to authenticate troop position — a precondition set by India.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had made an appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in April for demilitarising the glacier. He had requested the withdrawal of Indian and Pakistani troops in the wake of casualties suffered by the Pakistani army in an avalanche near Siachen on April 7.

Army sources, however, said India could not risk withdrawing until Pakistan authenticated troop position. Nature's fury has killed more soldiers than firing — India lost 26 soldiers during the last one year.