| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: Current affairs, Issue: Places in news |
Context: April 13, 2024 marks four decades since the Indian Army pre-empted Pakistan and occupied the Siachen glacier
Siachen glacier(World’s highest and coldest battlefield) :
- It is on the Saltoro ridge, overlooking the Nubra valley in the Karakoram ranges.
- The origin of dispute dates back to Partition between India and Pakistan.
- The LoC was delineated up to NJ-9842 in the 1972 Shimla agreement.
- The glacier itself was left unmarked, leading to a dispute over ownership.
- India claims the area based on the Jammu and Kashmir Accession Agreement of 1947 and the Karachi Agreement of 1949.
- Pakistan interprets the ceasefire line differently, seeking control beyond Siachen for strategic connectivity.
Strategic significance of Siachen:
- Vital for India’s security, especially Ladakh and the Leh-Srinagar highway.
- Potential of collusive threats from both China and Pakistan.
- Siachen overlooks the Shaksgam valley, part of POK, ceded to China in 1963.
- Recent tensions, such as the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh.
Conclusion:
- Siachen and Sir Creek are considered “low-hanging fruits” in the India-Pakistan conflict.
- Demilitarization discussions have occurred at the level of Defence Secretaries but have faced hurdles.
- Recent tensions, including the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, has further complicated Siachen’s settlement.
| Prelims Connect(Operation Meghdoot)
· Launched by India in April 1984 to preempt Pakistan’s aggression. · Intelligence inputs of imminent Pakistani military action prompted India’s move. · Mountaineering expeditions by Col. Narinder Kumar aided in planning the operation. · Indian Army captured the 76.4 km-long Siachen glacier on April 13, 1984. · Ceasefire along the Actual Ground Position Line has held since 2003, making Operation Meghdoot the longest continuing operation globally. |
