Recently, Pakistan announced the suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement and declared the closure of the Wagah border with India, halting all cross-border movement through the point. Additionally, it shut its airspace to Indian carriers. The move follows India’s imposition of strict measures against Pakistan in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Among these actions, India also put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold on April 23.
Over fifty years ago, against the backdrop of Himachal Pradesh’s snow-covered hills, India and Pakistan signed a landmark accord to recalibrate their relationship following one of South Asia’s most significant wars. The Simla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has since stood as a pivotal—though frequently debated—foundation of India-Pakistan ties.
What did the Simla Agreement say?
The agreement stated that both countries were committed to ending hostilities and working towards a peaceful and cooperative relationship. The goal was to redirect national resources from conflict toward improving the welfare of their people.
“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,” the official statement read.
Key provisions of the Simla Agreement
Bilateral Dispute Resolution
India and Pakistan agreed to settle all disputes, including Kashmir, through direct, bilateral negotiations. This clause became a central part of India’s argument against third-party intervention.
Establishment of the Line of Control (LoC)
The agreement converted the 1971 ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir into the Line of Control (LoC). Both sides pledged not to alter it unilaterally, solidifying the military status quo.
Return of captured territory
India returned over 13,000 square kilometers of land it had captured during the war, while retaining strategically important areas like Turtuk and Chalunka in Ladakh.
Recognition of Bangladesh
While not explicitly part of the agreement, it laid the foundation for Pakistan’s eventual diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh.
How India and Pakistan paved the way for the Simla Agreement?
India and Pakistan reached the Simla Agreement in the aftermath of the 1971 war, which had been sparked by political unrest and civil strife in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). The crisis escalated into a full-scale war between the two countries when India intervened militarily in support of the Bengali independence movement.
India’s swift and decisive campaign led to Pakistan’s surrender in Dhaka on December 16, 1971, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. With Pakistan reeling from a significant military and political defeat, both sides sought to establish a new framework for future relations, culminating in the signing of the Simla Agreement on July 2, 1972.
In the aftermath of the war, Pakistan came under significant diplomatic and military pressure. The Simla Agreement served as a platform to negotiate peace and facilitate the return of captured territory and prisoners.
Why is the Simla Agreement in the news again?
Recently, Pakistan indicated a suspension of the Simla Agreement, amid already strained ties with India. The move follows India’s abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Since then, Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic relations and repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue in international forums, contrary to the bilateral framework agreed in Simla.
This suspension could suggest a strategic shift, with Pakistan potentially seeking third-party mediation—including the UN, China, or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—to address Kashmir, which would directly violate the Simla Agreement’s terms.
What could this mean for the LoC?
The Line of Control has been a hotspot for tensions, including ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts. If the principles of the Simla Agreement are no longer respected, it could escalate border hostilities and trigger wider military tensions.