Updated: Monday August 05, 2019/AlEthnien
Thoul Hijjah 04, 1440/Somavara
Sravana 14, 1941, at 01:38:00 PM
July 02, 1972
The Simla Agreement signed by Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan on 2nd
July 1972 was much more than a peace treaty seeking to reverse the consequences
of the 1971 war (i.e. to bring about withdrawals of troops and an exchange of
PoWs). It was a comprehensive blue print for good neighbourly relations between
India and Pakistan. Under the Simla Agreement both countries undertook to
abjure conflict and confrontation which had mamed relations in the past, and to
work towards the establishment of durable peace, friendship and cooperation.
The Simla Agreement contains a set of
guiding principles, mutually agreed to by India and Pakistan, which both sides
would adhere to while managing relations with each other. These emphasize:
respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; noninterference
in each other’s internal affairs; respect for each others unity, political
independence; sovereign equality; and abjuring hostile propaganda. The
following principles of the Agreement are, however, particularly noteworthy:---
A mutual commitment to the peaceful
resolution of all issues through direct bilateral approaches.
To build the foundations of a
cooperative relationship with special focus on people to people contacts.
To uphold the inviolability of the Line
of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, which is a most important CBM between India
and Pakistan, and a key to durable peace.
India has faithfully observed the Simla Agreement in the conduct of its relations with Pakistan.
SIMLA AGREEMENT
Agreement on Bilateral Relations
Between The Government of India and The Government of Pakistan
1.
The Government
of India and the Government of Pakistan are resolved that the two counties 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 talk of
advancing the welfare of their peoples.
2.
In order to
achieve this objective, the Government of hrdia and the Government of Pakistan
have agreed as follows:---
o That the principles and purposes of the Charter of
the United Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries;
o That the two countries are resolved to settle their
differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other
peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement
of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall
unilaterally alter the situation and both shall prevent the organization,
assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of
peaceful and harmonious relations;
o That the pre-requisite for reconciliation, good
neighbourliness and durable peace between them is a commitment by both the
countries to peaceful co-existence, respect for each other’s territorial
integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s integral
affairs, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
o That the basic issues and causes of conflict which
have bedevilled the relations between the two countries for the last 25 years
shall be resolved by peaceful means;
o That they shall always respect each other’s
national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign
equality;
o That in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations they will refrain from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of each other.
3.
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.
4.
In order
progressively to restore and normalize relations between the two countries step
by step, it was agreed that;
o Steps
shall be taken to resume communications, postal, telegraphic, sea, land
including border posts, and air links including over flights.
o Appropriate
steps shall be taken to promote travel facilities for the nationals of the
other country.
o Trade
and co-operation in economic and other agreed fields will be resumed as far as
possible.
o Exchange
in the fields of science and culture will be promoted.
In this connection delegations from the
two countires will meet from time to time to work out the necessary details.
5. In order to
initiate the process of the establishment of durable peace, both the
Governments agree that:---
o Indian and Pakistani forces shall
be withdrawn to their side of the international border.
o 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
recognized 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.
o The
withdrawals shall commence upon entry into force of this Agreement and shall be
completed within a period of 30 days thereof.
6.
This Agreement
will be subject to ratification by both countries in accordance with their
respective constitutional procedures, and will come into force with effect from
the date on which the hrstraiments of Ratification are exchanged.
7.
Both
Governments agree that their respective Heads will meet again at a mutually
convenient time in the future and that, in the meanwhile, the representatives
of the two sides will meet to discuss further the modalities and arrangements
for the establishment of durable peace and normalization of relations,
including the questions of repatriation of prisoners of war and civilian
internees, a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir and the resumption of
diplomatic relations.
Sd/-
(Indira Gandhi)
Prime Minister
Republic of
India
Sd/- (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) President Islamic
Republic of Pakistan
Simla, the 2nd July, 1972
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