Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [Images], accompanied by his wife, is on a three-day trip to Ladakh in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

During the visit, he visited Siachin Glacier-- the first Indian prime minister to do so-- and inaugurated a number of projects.

He said the time has come to make efforts to convert Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, into a 'peace mountain'.

"Siachen is called the highest battlefield where living is very difficult. Now the time has come to make efforts to convert this battlefield into a peace mountain. Talks are going on with Pakistan in this regard," Dr Singh said.

"Our efforts should be such that an environment of peace is created, wherein nobody feels any threat and there is no scope for conflict. Siachen must become an example of peace," the prime minister said.

Dr Singh announced that two home theatres and a CT scan facility will soon be provided in Siachen.

Added Dr Singh: "I wanted to see for myself as to what your living conditions and arrangements are and what the government can do to address your problems."

(Dr Singh seen in the photograph with Army chief J J Singh.)

Photograph: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images