Security concerns to be safeguarded on Siachen issue: govt
NEW DELHI, OCT 30 (Agencies) : With Pakistan claiming likelihood of a breakthrough on the Siachen glacier issue, the armed forces today said the government has given it assurance that national security concerns will be safeguarded in any settlement.
"They (government) have kept us assured that national security concerns will be safeguarded," Army Chief gen J J Singh told reporters here.
The new incoming Chairman of Chiefs of Staff committee Air Chief Marshall S P Tyagi said "all our views on the Siachen glacier issue have been presented to the government." The two were answering a volley of questions on the claims of Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri that India and Pakistan were close to reaching an agreement to resolve the issue.
Kasuri has also claimed that a "breakthrough" on this issue was expected next month to enable Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan.
Talking to newsmen after taking over as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee at a function here, Tyagi refused to elaborate saying, "we have nothing more to say on the matter." Though Tyagi merely said the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was government's prerogative, the outgoing chief Admiral Arun Prakash said time has come for taking a decision on this.
Prakash said as service chiefs the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee did not get time to promote integration among the three services, which was essential in any future conflict.
"We should continue to maintain synergy for overall achievement of national security, said Prakash, who lays down office after a 34-year distinguished service.
The new COSC, while avoiding direct comment on the CDS, said the present system had worked very well.
"There is immense amount of synergy and jointness in the three services." Tyagi would hold the post of COSC till he reitres in April next year and would be succeeded by Army Chief Gen J J Singh.
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