"The two defence secretaries ageed to continue their discussions with a view to resolving the Siachen issue in a peaceful manner," a joint statement issued at the end of the talks in the Indian capital said.

The statement did not specify a date for the resumption of talks about the 20,700-foot (6,300-metre) glacier where more troops have died of frostbite and altitude sickness than in fighting.

Siachen, known as the world's highest battlefield, is located in a remote area of Kashmir which is held in part by nuclear rivals India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.

India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since their 1947 independence and came close to a fourth in 2002, said they held "frank and candid discussions in a "cordial and constructive atmosphere aimed at taking the process forward."

Mutual mistrust has so far blocked attempts to demilitarise the frigid wasteland.

The deployment forces on the glacier is hugely expensive for both countries.

WAR.WIRE