Pakistan paused all bilateral agreements with India amid escalating diplomatic tensions on Thursday — including the Simla Agreement signed after the 1971 war. The development came hours after New Delhi announced a series of countermeasures, asking Pakistani nationals to immediately leave the country and pressing pause on the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan has since accused its neighbour of ‘reckless and irresponsible behaviour’ and insisted any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water would be considered an ‘act of war’.
A release from the office of PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would “exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to Simla Agreement in abeyance”. It did not outline an exact timeframe but insisted that the change would remain in place till India ceased its efforts “forment terrorism inside Pakistan, trans-national killings and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir.”. The National Security Committee also
What is the Simla Agreement?
India and Pakistan signed a treaty soon after the 1971 war to ensure the peaceful resolution of disputes. The treaty sought to normalise ties between the two countries following the Bangladesh war of liberation — where India had intervened against Pakistan. The Simla Agreement (named after the location where it was signed) also transformed the Line of Control separating the two countries — stating that neither country would attempt to alter this line unilaterally. India also returned more than 13,000 sq. km of land it had seized during the war while retaining a few strategic areas including Turtuk, Dhothang, Tyakshi and Chalunka in the Chorbat Valley. paved the way for the diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh after its cessation from Pakistan.