New Delhi, April 28, 2005 (PTI)

Defence Secretaries of India and Pakistan are likely to meet next month or latest by June to find a "mutually acceptable solution" on Siachen, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said the Siachen issue figured prominently during the recent visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to New Delhi.

National interest

Singh, who had held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Khurseed Mehmud Kasuri in this regard, said respective Defence Secretaries were directed to meet by May or latest by June to find a mutually acceptable solution with respect to Siachen.

The Minister said there was ceasefire in Siachen for three years and there was no real tension and asserted the country's national interest would not be jeopardised.

In his written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said during Musharraf's visit to New Delhi, it was agreed that existing institutional mechanisms should convene discussions immediately with a view to finding mutually acceptable solution on the issue expeditiously.