1992 India, Pakistan drafts on Siachen

Text of draft Indian and Pakistani proposals on Siachen, November 1992:

Indian and Pakistani delegations headed by their respective Defence Secretaries met in New Delhi from November 2-6, 1992.

Indian draft (first) – 3rd Nov 1992

Consequent to discussions in the VI Round of Talks on the Siachen issue, both sides agreed to the following:

(i) Delineation of the Line of Control beyond NJ 9842: It was agreed that the immediate focus should be on restoring peace and tranquillity in the glacial region. Towards this end, without prejudice to the positions taken by either side in the earlier round of talks, both sides agreed that the LOC in this area shall be determined on a time bound basis.

(ii) Disengagement and Re-deployment: To secure enduring peace and tranquillity in this area both sides agreed to redeploy as follows:-

India: The Indian Army shall vacate their existing positions at …….. and…………. and redeploy at ……….

Pakistan: The Pak Army shall vacate their existing positions at ……… and ……… and redeploy at ……………

(iii) Zone of Disengagement: Consequent to disengagement from existing positions and redeployment to agreed positions, as noted in para (ii) above, both sides commit:

(a) that they shall not seek to re-occupy the positions vacated by them or to occupy the positions vacated by the other side or to occupy new positions across the alignment determined by the vacated positions.

(b) that they shall not undertake any military or mountaineering activity whatever in the Zone of Disengagement bounded as follows:

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(c) that if either side violates the Zone of Disengagement, the other side shall be free to respond through any means, including military.

(iv) Monitoring maintenance of peace in the Zone of Disengagement: Having committed themselves to maintain peace and tranquillity in the area comprising the Zone of Disengagement, both sides agree to the following monitoring measures to ensure against any violation of this zone:

(v) Implementation Schedule: In pursuance of their commitments in paras (i) to (iv) above, both sides agree to disengage and re-deploy as per the following schedule:

Pakistani Draft

Recognizing the need to bring to an end the enormous human and material losses being suffered by both countries in the Siachen area;

Noting that the Line of Control between the point NJ 9842 and the Karakoram Pass is yet to be delineated and that an understanding of the Siachen issue will eliminate an area of tension;

Considering that a settlement of the issue will constitute a major Confidence Building Measure;

Reiterating the desire to settle issues peacefully through negotiations in the letter and spirit of the Simla Agreement;

The two sides have agreed as follows:-

1) The area within the triangle Indira Koli - point NJ 9842 - Karakoram Pass will be vacated by the armed forces of the two sides.

2) The armed forces of the two sides will be re-deployed south of point NJ 9842 so as to conform with the Simla Agreement.

3) The modalities and time-frame of the re-deployment as well as the monitoring arrangements worked out by the military experts are annexed.

4) Neither side shall attempt to alter the status of the area within the triangle Indira Koli - point NJ 9842 - Karakoram Pass, pending delineation of the Line of Control.

5) A Joint Commission comprising experts from both sides will be set up in order to examine the question of delineation of the Line of Control. The Joint Commission shall commence work immediately after the completion of the re-deployment of forces and submit its report to the two governments within a period of six months thereafter.

Alternative para 1 & 2 (fall back position)

The armed forces of the two sides shall vacate areas and re-deploy as indicated in the annexure. The positions vacated would not for either side constitute a basis for a legal claim or justify a political or moral right to the area indicated. The delineation of the Line of Control from point NJ 9842 to the Karakoram Pass will form part of the comprehensive settlement to follow the re-deployment of troops.*

[* According to N.N. Vohra, then the Indian Defence Secretary, the Pakistani side dropped its reference to the Karakoram Pass]