The Simla Agreement [1972]
After the 1971 war, India held
prisoner around 93,000 Pakistani troops and civilians. In Pakistan there was a
growing demand to get these prisoners released with the result that a Summit
Conference between Pakistani President, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the Indian
leader, Mrs. Gandhi, was held at Simla from June 28 to July 2, 1972. The two
countries reached an agreement on July 2. The agreement contained the elements
of an earlier Indian draft, but the wording was considerably modified. In
particular the clause referring to the ceasefire line in Kashmir was rephrased
as to make it acceptable to Pakistan.
The broad features of this pact
included that the principle and purpose of the charter of United Nations would
govern the relations between the two countries. The two coun tries resolved to
settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations. The
foremost conditions for understanding, good neighborly relations, and stable and
lasting peace were laid that no country would interfere with the other country's
internal matters on the basis of mutual respect for peace, security, territorial
sovereignty, mutual friendship and equality.
It was reiterated again in the
agreement that efforts would be made to put an end, as far as possible, to all
such disputes and differences that have been the cause of dissension between the
two countries for the last 25 years. Both governments also agreed to take all
steps within their power to prevent hostile propaganda directed against each
other In order to progressively restore and normalize relations between the two
countries, it was agreed that steps would be taken to resume communications,
postal service, and promote and facilitate travel by sea, land and air. Trade
and cooperation in economic and other agreed fields would also be resumed
Leaders of both the countries agreed at Simla to meet again at a mutually agreed
time so that representatives of both the countries could discuss more
arrangements for durable peace, including matters relating to prisoners of war,
local prisoners, final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and diplomatic
relations. As a consequence of the clauses pertaining to the withdrawal of
forces, Indian troops withdrew from the 5,139 sq. miles of Pakistani territory
in Punjab and Sindh it had occupied during the war. Similarly, Pakistani troops
withdrew from 69 sq. miles of territory in Punjab and Rajasthan. In Kashmir,
India retained 480 sq. miles and Pakistan 52 sq. miles. Pakistan ratified the
Simla Agreement on July 15 and India on August 3, after which the agreement came
into effect on August 4, 1972.