After a gap of seven years, India and Pakistan will on Thursday hold defence secretary-level talks focused on military de-escalation on Siachen glacier.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday met for 90 minutes in South Block's 'War Room' to chalk out New Delhi's strategy.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani team led by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan arrived in New Delhi. The general said his government had a "positive and an open mind" on the issue.

A joint statement could be issued at the end of the two-day talks, defence ministry sources said.

The delegations will also discuss the contentious issue of Sir Creek in Rann of Kutch.

Director General of Military Operations, Lt Gen A S Bhaiya, briefed the CCS on the troop deployment on the 72-km glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

Apart from the PM, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, and other top army officials were present.