“Pakistan’s objections are misplaced. It (India’s decision) does not amount to 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,” General Singh told reporters at Fort Williams, headquarters of the Indian Army in the Eastern region.

It was only on Tuesday that the defence ministry had overruled all objections raised by Pakistan in this regard and cleared the bureaucratic hurdles for tourists to undertake a trek to Siachen at a height of more than 17,000 ft in the snow-capped Himalayas. In view of the tough terrain and inclement weather, the army has organised an acclimatisation and training module for trekkers at Leh from September 19 to October 11.

  The army chief who is on a farewell visit to Fort Williams prior to his retirement, due on September 30, 2007, quoted the government position, which had been officially communicated to Pakistan. The Indian government was categorical in stating that the glacial heights would remain “non-negotiable,” till Pakistan accepted Indian conditions for clear-cut “authentication” of the 110-km Actual Ground Position Line, both on the map and on the ground.

  When his attention was drawn to the border dispute with China over Arunachal Pradesh, Singh claimed that the same was being handled in a “mature” way. “A dialogue is currently going on to find a solution to the issue,” he said.