Explained: What Is Shimla Agreement Signed By India & Pakistan In 1972?

In a new low in India and Pakistan's relationship, Islamabad on Thursday announced that it was suspending the 1972 Shimla Agreement. The decision comes after New Delhi downgraded diplomatic ties and suspended the Indus Water Treaty in view of the Pahalgam terrorist attack carried out by The Resistance Front in which 26 civilians were killed.

The treaty was signed by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Pakistani counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972. It was a treaty signed to create peace and normalise relations between the two countries.

India had intervened in East Pakistan's fight against the West Pakistan leading to the creation of Bangladesh. As per the agreement, both countries had decided on settling bilateral disputes in peaceful manner, respecting the Line of Control that came into existence after the 1971 war, and recognition of Bangladesh. Notably, the two nations agreed to settle the Kashmir issue and any other issues without the interference of other countries.

India also returned 13000 km of land that it had seized during the 1971 war. However, New Delhi managed to retain strategic areas such as Turtuk, Dhothang, Tyakshi, and Chalunka in the Chorbat Valley.

Main Provisions

Respect for the Line of Control (LoC): Both sides agreed to respect the ceasefire line in Jammu & Kashmir, which was to be renamed the "Line of Control." Neither side would seek to alter it unilaterally.

Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: The two nations committed to resolving all bilateral issues, including the Kashmir dispute, through peaceful means and bilateral negotiations rather than armed conflict.

Non-Interference: Each country pledged not to intervene in the internal affairs of the other.

Normalization of Relations: Steps were laid out for the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) and the repatriation of civilian internees.

Key Outcomes

Reaffirmed Ceasefire: It effectively cemented the ceasefire line established in December 1971 as the de facto boundary in Kashmir, helping to prevent immediate large-scale hostilities.

Bilateralism Principle: The agreement emphasized that India and Pakistan would resolve their differences bilaterally, without third-party mediation. This principle has guided their diplomatic stance on major issues since then.

Framework for Dialogue: While many outstanding issues remain unresolved-most notably Kashmir-the Shimla Agreement provided a diplomatic framework and a commitment to dialogue.

Despite the two countries agreeing to solve the issue in peaceful manner, it has not prevented the two countries from going to war. In 1999, Pakistan violated the LOC and India reclaimed the lost land after 2-month war which resulted in Pakistan's defeat.

Here Is The Complete Text Of Shimla Agreement (Source: MEA)

AGREEMENT¹ BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN ON BILATERAL RELATIONS (SIMLA AGREEMENT)

Simla, 2 July 1972

1. The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan are resolved that the two countries put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations and work for the promotion of a friendly and harmonious relationship and the establishment of durable peace in the sub-continent, so that both countries may henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of their peoples. In order to achieve this objective, the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan

HAVE agreed as follows:

(i) That the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries;

(ii) That the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation and both shall prevent the organisation, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations;

(iii)That the pre-requisite for reconciliation, good neighbourliness and durable peace between them is a commitment by both the countries to peaceful co-existence, respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;

2. Both Governments will take all steps within their power to prevent hostile propaganda directed against each other. Both countries will encourage the dissemination of such information as would promote the development of friendly relations between them.

3. In order progressively to restore and normalise relations between the two countries step by step, it was agreed that:

(i) Steps shall be taken to resume communications, postal, telegraphic, sea, land including border posts, and air links including overflights;

(ii) Appropriate steps shall be taken to promote travel facilities for the nationals of the other country;

(iii)Trade and co-operation in economic and other agreed fields will be resumed as far as possible;

(iv)Exchange in the fields of science and culture will be promoted.

In this connection delegation from the two countries will meet from time to time to work out the necessary details.

4. In order to initiate the process of the establishment of durable peace, both the Governments agree that:

(i) Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their side of the international border;

(ii) In Jammu and Kashmir, the line of control resulting from the cease-fire of December 17, 1971 shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognised position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this Line;

(iii)The withdrawals shall commence upon entry into force of this Agreement and shall be completed within a period of 30 days thereof.

5. This Agreement will be subject to ratification by both countries in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures, and will come into force with effect from the date on which the Instruments of Ratification are exchanged.

6. Both Governments agree that the respective Heads will meet again at a mutually convenient time in the future and that, in the meanwhile, the representatives of the two sides will meet to discuss further the modalities and arrangements for the establishment of durable peace and normalisation of relations, including the questions of repatriation of prisoners of war and civilian internees, a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir and the resumption of diplomatic relations.