By IANS
Kolkata : Army Chief Gen. J.J. Singh Friday defended the country’s right to send trekkers to Siachen in a clear riposte to Pakistan’s objections to such expeditions.
“No, it is not a case of needling Pakistan. We are well within our rights to send trekkers to Siachen. In fact, we are actively encouraging tourists to go on mountaineering expeditions to the glacial heights,” Gen. Singh told reporters here.
The defence ministry had cleared bureaucratic hurdles Tuesday for tourists to head to Siachen, overruling objections from Pakistan.
Considering the tough terrain, the army has organised an acclimatisation and training module for trekkers at Leh from Sep 19 to Oct 11.
The central government has made it clear to Pakistan that the glacial heights will remain “non-negotiable”, till it accepts Indian conditions for clear-cut “authentication” of the 110-km Actual Ground Position Line, both on the map and on the ground.