What Is 'Shimla Agreement' That Pakistan Has Suspended? Did Pakistan Adhere To It Till Now?
In the wake of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 28 lives in Jammu and Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a fever pitch. India, reeling from the loss and determined to send a strong message, swiftly implemented a series of punitive diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing border crossings, and halting visa services for Pakistani nationals.
Countering the move, Pakistan announced the suspension of the historic Shimla Accord, a decision that could have serious diplomatic repercussions in the geopolitics of South Asia.
What Is The Shimla Accord?
The Shimla Accord, also known as the Simla Agreement, is a landmark peace treaty signed on July 2, 1972, in the hill town of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It was signed after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. The agreement was inked by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Its aim was to cease all hostilities and chart a new course for bilateral relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. They agreed that the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries. Clauses of the Shimla Agreement were as follows.
Peaceful Dispute Resolution
At its core, the Shimla Accord established several foundational principles. When signing the agreement, both countries pledged to resolve all issues, including the contentious Kashmir dispute, through bilateral negotiations. The agreement ruled out third-party mediations.
Respect For Sovereignty
India and Pakistan agreed to honour each other's territorial integrity and political independence, and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs.
The pre-requisite for reconciliation, good neighbourliness, and durable peace between India and Pakistan is a commitment by both 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. Pakistan has been repeatedly violating these clauses, both on the ground as well as on global .
Refrain From Propaganda
The Agreement mentioned that "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". However, Pakistan has been violating this clause for a long time, despite India's adherence to the Shimla Agreement.
The latest instance of violation of all the above clauses came from none other than Pakistan's Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, who said: "Pakistan would continue to stand by the Kashmiri people in the struggle against the Indian occupation. It was our jugular vein, it is our jugular, we will not forget it." He even sought to spread hatred with claims of Hindu-Muslim divisions.
Line Of Control
It was decided that ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir, as it existed on December 17, 1971, would be considered as the Line of Control (LoC), with both sides committing not to alter it unilaterally. "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," the Shimla Agreement reads.
However, Pakistan's repeated aggression and incursions have proved that it is not interested sticking to the agreement.
Normalisation Of Ties
The Shimla Agreement called for the restoration of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations, as well as the release of prisoners of war — a gesture that saw India return over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, one of the largest such releases in history.
Recognition Of Bangladesh
The most important outcome of the 1971 War and subsequent signing of the Shimla Agreement was the recognition of Bangladesh as a nation separate from Pakistan. The agreement paved the way for Pakistan to formally recognise the newly independent Bangladesh.
Why Does The Shimla Accord Matter Today?
For more than five decades, the Shimla Accord has served as a fragile but vital framework for managing the often volatile relationship between India and Pakistan. Its emphasis on bilateralism has been instrumental in resisting external intervention In India's internal matters in Kashmir. The provisions on the LoC often is cited by India to keep Pakistan in check, although Pakistan has time and again resorted to violence, even going to the extent of using non-state actors, to cross the LoC.
The accord has not been immune to strain. Armed conflicts, including the Kargil War of 1999 and ongoing skirmishes along the LoC, have tested its limits. Still, the Shimla Accord has remained a milestone for diplomacy and dialogue, and is often looked at as a base to breathe fresh life into negotiations.
Pakistan's Suspension Of The Shimla Accord: A Turning Point?
Pakistan's decision to suspend the Shimla Accord, announced after India's forced retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, has marked a big departure from decades of diplomatic convention. By closing the Wagah border and shutting its airspace to Indian carriers, Islamabad has signalled a readiness to abandon the very principles of peaceful coexistence and bilateral engagement that the Simla Agreement stands for.
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