Simla Agreement 1972 |ForumIAS

News– After the recent escalation with India following the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan put the Simla Agreement on hold.

About Simla Agreement 1972

It is a bilateral peace treaty signed on July 2, 1972, between India and Pakistan, in the aftermath of the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
The agreement was signed in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
It came into force on August 4, 1972, after being ratified by both countries.

Background: The 1971 War

The 1971 war resulted in India’s decisive victory and the creation of Bangladesh.
On December 16, 1971, over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered in Dhaka, making it the largest military surrender since World War II.
A ceasefire was declared on both eastern and western fronts, and the war ended the following day.

Objectives of the agreement- The agreement aimed:

- To end hostilities and confrontation.
- To work towards friendly and harmonious relations.
- To establish durable peace in the subcontinent.

Key Provisions of the Simla Agreement

Peaceful bilateral resolution: Both nations committed to resolving disputes through bilateral negotiations, without involving third-party mediation — a clause India has consistently emphasized, especially in opposing international interference in the Kashmir issue.
Line of Control (LoC): The agreement converted the 1971 ceasefire line into the Line of Control (LoC), effectively establishing a de facto border in Jammu and Kashmir. It emphasized that neither side would seek to unilaterally alter this line, thereby reinforcing the status quo.
Return of territory: India returned over 13,000 km² of territory captured during the war, demonstrating goodwill and commitment to peace. However, it retained strategic zones such as Turtuk and Chalunka in the Chorbat Valley.
Recognition of Bangladesh: Though not immediate, the agreement laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s eventual diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh.