Siachen Glacier Issue

Strategic importance of Siachen

geopolitical & geostrategic imptance of india
serves as divide b/w PoK & Aksai Chin area
- $∴$ preventing military linkages b/w Pak & China
Siachen near Karakoram Pass (vital); Karakoram Highway (Friendship Highway) runs through this pass, connecting Gilgit Baltistan region and China’s Xinjiang province
Siachen acts as a watch tower for india concerning pakistani activity in Galgit Baltistan & Chinese Activity in Akasi Chin

In Favour	Against
Huge economic cost to maintain military presence (5cr/day). Can use this money for healthcare, edu etc	Money cost involved everywhere if national security challenged
Tough weather conditions result in heavy casualties & loss of human life	Technological advancements have led to improved infra & equipment for soldiers
Presence of military $\to$ env degradation. In Jan 2018, 130 tonne waste brought down from Siachen	(no perfect counter)
Goodwill gesture by India on intl. stage. Commitment to peace, conflict resolution	Previous goodwill gestures have not been recognized by Pak & India not awarded for it
	Siachen part of pre-1948 J&K $∴$ integral part of india
	holding height always better option for india both in terms of war & negotiations
	demilitarization insult to past martyrs

faced with 2 front threat (Pak + China), demilitarization is not a workable idea
till the situation improves, india should simply hold its control over Siachen glacier