Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan

Pakistan suspends 1972 Simla Agreement

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

Pakistan has announced its decision to suspend the Simla Agreement with India, a landmark peace accord signed in 1972 following the India-Pakistan war.

Simla Agreement

About the Simla Agreement

  • The Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, between Indira Gandhi (India) and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan) following the 1971 India-Pakistan war and the creation of Bangladesh.
  • The agreement aimed to establish lasting peace, address issues arising from the war, and reaffirm respect for the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Terms of the Agreement:

  1. Respect for Territorial Integrity: Both countries agreed to respect sovereignty and internal affairs, with the LoC as the de facto boundary in Kashmir.
  2. Line of Control (LoC): Both parties agreed not to alter the LoC unilaterally, maintaining its status established after the 1971 ceasefire.
  3. Promotion of Durable Peace: A commitment to resolve disputes peacefully and normalize relations, including transportation, postal services, and trade.
  4. Dispute Resolution: The agreement emphasized bilateral dialogue for resolving issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute, without third-party intervention.
  5. Non-interference & No Use of Force: Both nations pledged to refrain from interfering in internal matters and from using force or threats of force.

Line of Control (LoC) and the 1949 Karachi Agreement:

  • Following the 1947-48 India-Pakistan war, a UN-brokered ceasefire led to the establishment of the LoC.
  • The 1949 Karachi Agreement demarcated the ceasefire line, running from Manawar (south) to the glaciers (north), forming the basis for the LoC.
  • Despite the Simla Agreement, there have been multiple conflicts, such as Siachen (1984) and Kargil War (1999), where Pakistan attempted to alter the LoC, leading to military responses from India.

Challenges in Implementing the Agreement

  • Kargil War (1999): Pakistan’s violation of the LoC during the Kargil War highlighted ongoing tensions.
  • Siachen Glacier: Pakistan’s actions in the Siachen Glacier conflict violated the agreement, leading to military action (Operation Meghdoot, 1984) by India.
[UPSC 2003] Consider the following statements regarding the relations between India and Pakistan:

1. During Shimla Agreement, Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Bhutto agreed to maintain the sanctity of LOC.

2. Lahore Summit took place in the year 1997.

3. Islamabad Summit was held between Rajiv Gandhi and Nawaz Sharif.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 (c) Only 2 (d) Only 1*

 

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