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According to the Simla Agreement, both countries should ‘put an end to the conflicts and confrontation’ and ‘promote friendly and harmonious relationships’.
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, right, and President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shake hands after signing Simla Agreement (AP File Photo)
India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan as tensions between the two nations escalated following a terrorist attack on Tuesday that killed 26. While India took several initiatives including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan too has responded by cancelling visas to Indian nationals and suspending all cross-border transit from India. It also said Islamabad might keep the Simla Agreement in abeyance.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting on Thursday to make decisions regarding response to India’s move to downgrade diplomatic ties. The meeting witnessed the presence of key ministers and three service chiefs.
“Noting the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will, Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to Simla Agreement in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir,” said a statement released after the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.
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“All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30,” it said.
What Is Simla Agreement 1972?
Simla Agreement is a pact signed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on July 2, 1972 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The pact was signed after the Pak-Bangladesh War in 1971, which resulted in the independence of Bangladesh.
According to the Simla Agreement, both countries should “put an end to the conflicts and confrontation” and “promote friendly and harmonious relationships” and “establish durable peace in the sub-continent.”
The agreement summed up in six points also says that “the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations”.
“Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation,” it adds.
Earlier in 1999, Pakistan breached the Simla Agreement, leading to the Kargil War. Pakistani troops had infiltrated Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir, taking over key positions along the Line of Control (LoC). India responded by launching Operation Vijay to evict the Pakistani forces.
India Takes Strong Action Against Pakistan
In response to the terrorist attack, India expelled Pakistani military attaches, suspended Indus Waters Treaty and closed the Attari border. The visa services to all Pakistani nationals was also suspended by India on Thursday.
Envoys of more than 20 countries including Japan, UK, and Russia, reached the MEA office on Thursday, where they were briefed about the terror attack in Jammu-Kashmir’s Pahalgam.