India will not withdraw troops from Siachen

* Pakistan should avoid arms race: Mukherjee

CALCUTTA: India said on Sunday it would not withdraw its troops from Siachen and a status quo would be maintained instead, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

India has asked Pakistan not to indulge in arms race, saying that New Delhi would continue with a peace initiative through the ongoing talks with Islamabad, PTI said.

Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told journalists that India did not intend to have an arms race with Pakistan and asked Islamabad not to indulge in it.

About a recent declaration by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to upgrade nuclear arsenal, Mr Mukherjee said instead of starting an arms race, the two countries needed to focus on de-militarisation of border areas.

“It (de-militarising) will be done in a phased programme through talks. Seven rounds of talks have already been held on issues like Siachen, and the next rounds are being held on Siachen, the Sir Creek boundary issue and others,” he said. online

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