NEW DELHI, Sept 18 (Reuters) - India will go ahead with a trekking expedition to the disputed Siachen Glacier in Kashmir as scheduled despite strong opposition from Pakistan, a defence spokesman said on Tuesday. The Indian decision came a day after Islamabad expressed its "deep concern" over the expedition in "a conflict zone".

"There is no move to call it off and the programme will go ahead as scheduled," Indian defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said.

"It's a routine mountaineering activity which should not be viewed in any other way. The expedition is taking place in an area which is ours," he said.

A group of 40 trekkers, mostly scout cadets and Indian Military Academy trainees, would leave for the region on Wednesday for the 22-day expedition, he added.

The 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) high glacier is known as the world's highest battlefield as forces of the old rivals have faced off there since 1984, laying claim to what some see as a strategic region where a clear frontier was not demarcated.

More soldiers have died on both sides due to the bad weather and illness than actual fighting in the region. But a truce announced as part of peace moves launched in 2003 has held on the glacier.

Peace talks launched a year later aim to get the two forces to pullout of Siachen but progress has been slow.

India says it is unwilling to vacate the glacier until Pakistan authenticates the positions New Delhi holds.

Pakistan has said it is willing to do so but on the condition that it is not a final endorsement of India's claim over the glacier.

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