ISLAMABAD, May 26: Defence secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan on the Siachen issue began on a positive note here on Thursday with clear signals from both sides that some breakthrough was in the offing. The tone and tenor of the meeting was extremely positive with keenness on both sides to make some headway on the issue, informed sources told Dawn later.

A three-para official statement issued after the meeting said: “Talks were held in cordial and friendly atmosphere.” It added: “The discussions will continue tomorrow and a joint statement will be issued at the end of the talks.”

The meeting, held in the defence ministry at Rawalpindi, went on for three hours. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Ajay Vikram Singh and the Pakistani side was headed by Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Tariq Wasim Ghazi.

“The direction of the talks was very good and the outcome is likely to be positive,” said another source. The discussions revolved around moving ahead and resolving the issue amicably, sources said. Ceasefire, disengagement, redeployment of troops and monitoring mechanisms were among the key issues discussed, it is learnt.

“Both sides mean business this time around and will move beyond just going through the motions,” the sources said, adding that it would be reflected in the joint statement on Friday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani, who was present at the meeting, told this correspondent that talks were held in a ‘very constructive’ atmosphere. He was non-committal when asked if any new proposals were exchanged between the two sides. An Indian source, however, maintained that about half a dozen proposals were tabled by the Indian delegation to create a level of confidence between the two sides and provide some relief to the soldiers stationed at the freezing Siachen heights.

A Pakistani delegate chose to refer to them as ‘useful exchange of ideas’. “There is a feeling that we may progress towards resolving the longstanding issue,” another source told Dawn.

“An agreement is expected on some joint measures to give immediate comfort to soldiers on both sides and reduce tension at the world’s highest battlefield,” the sources said.

Later, the Indian delegation called on Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal. In the afternoon, they had a 30-minute meeting with Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan. The emphasis during both the meetings remained on the need to resolve the Siachen issue.—Q.A

AFP adds: Meanwhile, a senior Pakistan foreign ministry official said it would “not be acceptable to Pakistan in any case” if India, which occupied most of the ice-field in 1984, wanted to maintain its troops’ positions.