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{{short description|1972 peace treaty between India and Pakistan}}
{{About|the 1972 India-Pakistan peace treaty|the 1945 Indian self-government meeting|Simla Conference|the 1914 Tibetan-British-Chinese convention|Simla Convention|the 1906 deputation of Indian Muslim leaders for greater political representation|Simla Deputation|}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = Simla or Shimla Agreement
| long_name = Agreement on Bilateral Relations Between The Government of India and The Government of Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2012|title=Public Diplomacy – Simla Agreement July 2, 1972|url=https://mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?19005/Simla+Agreement+July+2+1972|access-date=1 August 2021|website=Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India)}}</ref>
| image_alt = <!-- alt-text here for accessibility; see [[MOS:ACCESS]] -->
| caption = [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] (then) President of Pakistan shaking hands with [[Indira Gandhi]], Prime minister of India
| type = [[Peace treaty]]
| context = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| date_drafted = 28 June 1972
| date_signed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1972|07|02}}
| location_signed = Barnes Court ([[Raj Bhavan, Shimla|Raj Bhavan]]),<ref name="HPRajBhavan">{{cite web|title=History of Raj Bhavan Building (Barnes Court) Emergence of an Edifice|url=http://himachalrajbhavan.nic.in/history.html|publisher=Government of India|access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], India
| date_sealed = 7 August 1972
| date_effective = 4 August 1972
| condition_effective = Ratification by both parties
| mediators = 
| negotiators = * [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs of India]]
* [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan]]
| signatories = * [[Indira Gandhi]] ([[Prime Minister of India]])
* [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] ([[President of Pakistan]])
| parties = * {{nowrap|{{flagdeco|India}} [[India|Republic of India]]}}
* {{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan|Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]}}
| ratifiers = * [[Parliament of India]]
* [[Parliament of Pakistan]]
| depositories = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
| language = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
| languages = * [[Hindi]]
* [[Urdu]]
* [[English language|English]]
| wikisource = <!-- OR: -->
| wikisource1 = <!-- Up to 5 wikisourceN variables may be specified -->
| rep = <!-- [[File:Example.png|200px|alt=Example alt text]] OR: -->
| image = 
| image_width = 300px||||
| date_ratified = 15 July 1972 (by Pakistan)<br/>3 August 1972 (by India)
}}

{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}

The '''Simla Agreement''', also spelled '''Shimla Agreement''', was a [[peace treaty]] signed between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] on 2 July 1972 in [[Shimla]], the capital of [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name=MEA_site>{{cite web|title=Simla Agreement|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5541/Simla+Agreement|work=Bilateral/Multilateral Documents|publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> It followed the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], which began after India intervened in [[East Pakistan]] as an ally of [[Mukti Bahini]] who were fighting against [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani state forces]] in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]].<ref name=ZEE>{{cite news |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/what-is-shimla-agreement-2221323.html |title=What is Shimla Agreement |work=Zee News |author=Tanweer Azam |date=23 July 2019}}</ref> 

The treaty's official purpose was stated to serve as a way for both countries to "put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations" and to conceive the steps to be taken for further normalization of [[India–Pakistan relations]] while also laying down the principles that should govern their future interactions.<ref name=Dawn>{{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/751253 |title=A leaf from history: Simla Agreement, at last |newspaper=Dawn (newspaper) |date=23 September 2012 }}</ref><ref name=IBN_40>{{cite news |title=Indo-Pak Shimla Agreement: 40 years later |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indopak-shimla-agreement-40-years-later/268913-3.html |work=IBN Live |date=2 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130927205707/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indopak-shimla-agreement-40-years-later/268913-3.html |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref>

The treaty gave back more than 13,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of land that the Indian Army had seized in Pakistan during the war, though India retained a few strategic areas, including [[Turtuk]], [[Dhothang]], [[Takshi|Tyakshi]] (earlier called Tiaqsi) and [[Chalunka]] of [[Chorbat Valley]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thewire.in/politics/turtuk-story-of-a-promise-land |title=Turtuk, a Promised Land Between Two Hostile Neighbours |work=The Wire |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030083934/https://thewire.in/politics/turtuk-story-of-a-promise-land |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://scroll.in/article/815863/an-encounter-with-the-king-of-turtuk-a-border-village-near-gilgit-baltistan |title=An encounter with the 'king' of Turtuk, a border village near Gilgit-Baltistan |first=qz com |last=Rajrishi Singhal |work=Scroll.in |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024100411/https://scroll.in/article/815863/an-encounter-with-the-king-of-turtuk-a-border-village-near-gilgit-baltistan |url-status=live}}</ref> which was more than 883&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nkoE1dc52oYwoWRNmhEeYK/A-portrait-of-a-village-on-the-border.html |title=A portrait of a village on the border |date=10 August 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826113604/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/nkoE1dc52oYwoWRNmhEeYK/A-portrait-of-a-village-on-the-border.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 December 2011 |title=Have you heard about this Indian Hero? |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-hero-of-nubra/20111222.htm#5 |work=Rediff.com |archive-date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614095202/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-hero-of-nubra/20111222.htm#5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A109&Pg=6 |title=The Simla Agreement 1972 |website=Story of Pakistan |access-date=20 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614014904/http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A109&Pg=6 |archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>

On April 23 2025, India suspended the [[Indus Waters Treaty]], alleging [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|Pakistan's involvement]] in [[2025 Pahalgam attack]].<ref>{{cite web |title=India closes main border crossing with Pakistan after Kashmir attack |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8g2njm2d2o |date=2025-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan Reuters |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/what-is-indus-waters-treaty-between-india-pakistan-2025-04-24/ |date=2025-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Kashmir attack: Does India's Indus Waters Treaty freeze threaten Paki… | url = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/24/kashmir-attack-does-indias-indus-waters-treaty-freeze-threaten-pakistan | date = 2025-04-24 | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20250424161802/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/24/kashmir-attack-does-indias-indus-waters-treaty-freeze-threaten-pakistan | archivedate = 2025-04-24 }}</ref> Pakistan, in-turn, suspended the Simla Agreement on 24 April 2025 and suspended trade with India closing land and air routes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-24 |title=Pakistan suspends 1972 Simla Agreement, shuts airspace to Indian airlines |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pakistan-suspends-1972-simla-agreement-shuts-airspace-to-indian-airlines/articleshow/120583029.cms |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-24 |title=Pakistan shuts Wagah border, suspends Simla Accord, expels Indians |url=https://www.samaa.tv/index.php/2087332275-pakistan-shuts-wagah-border-suspends-simla-accord-expels-indians |website=[[Samaa TV|Samaa]]}}</ref> In June 2025, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly declared the agreement a "dead document". He stated that whether the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended or not, the Simla Agreement was already over.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-06-04 |title=Khawaja Asif declares Simla agreement a ‘dead document’ |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549500/khawaja-asif-declares-simla-agreement-a-dead-document |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> 

== Details ==
The treaty was signed in 1972 in [[Shimla|Simla]] (also spelt "Shimla") in India by [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]], the [[President of Pakistan]], and [[Indira Gandhi]], the [[Prime Minister of India]].<ref name=Dawn/> The agreement also paved the way for diplomatic recognition of [[Bangladesh]] by [[Pakistan]]. Technically, the document was signed at 0040 hours in the night of 3 July; despite this official documents are dated 2 July 1972.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=IBN_40 /><ref name=KSG>{{cite web |title=Relevance of Simla Agreement |url=http://ksgindia.com/study-material/editorial-series/3885-relevance-of-simla-agreement.html |work=Editorial Series |publisher=Khan Study Group |access-date=20 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002132702/http://ksgindia.com/study-material/editorial-series/3885-relevance-of-simla-agreement.html |archive-date=2 October 2013}}</ref> Some of the major outcomes of the Simla Agreement are:
* Both countries will "settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations".<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=MEA_site /><ref name=Pradhanmantri>{{cite episode |title=1971 Indo-Pak War |series=Pradhanmantri |date=21 September 2013 |url=http://www.newsbullet.in/video/india/45558-watch-pradhanmantri-episode-11-about-1971-indo-pak-war |network=ABP News |season=1 |number=11 |last=Kapur |first=Shekhar (Narrator) |access-date=27 September 2013 |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827193427/https://www.abplive.in/video/india/45558-watch-pradhanmantri-episode-11-about-1971-indo-pak-war |url-status=dead }}</ref> India has, many a times, maintained that Kashmir dispute is a bilateral issue and must be settled through bilateral negotiations as per Simla Agreement, 1972 and thus, had denied any third party intervention even that of United Nations.<ref name=IE>{{cite news |title=India spikes Pak call for third party mediation, says Simla Agreement tops all agendas |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-spikes-pak-call-for-third-party-mediation-says-simla-agreement-tops-all-agendas/1063018/0 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=22 January 2013}}</ref>
* The agreement converted the cease-fire line of 17 December 1971 into the [[Line of Control]] (LOC) between India and Pakistan and it was agreed that "neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations".<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=MEA_site /><ref name=KSG /> Many Indian bureaucrats have later argued that a tacit agreement, to convert this LOC into international border, was reached during a one-on-one meeting between the two heads of government. Pakistani bureaucrats have denied any such thing.<ref name=IBN_40/><ref name=KSG/> This identification of a new "cease-fire line" by both the states has been argued by India as making [[United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan]] insignificant. As according to India, the purpose of UNMOGIP was to monitor the cease-fire line as identified in [[Karachi Agreement|Karachi agreement of 1949]] which no longer exists. Pakistan has a different take on this issue and both countries still host the UN mission.<ref name=IE/>

The agreement has not prevented the relationship between the two countries from deteriorating to the point of armed conflict, most recently in the [[Kargil War]] of 1999. In [[Operation Meghdoot]] of 1984 India seized all of the inhospitable [[Siachen Glacier]] region where the frontier had been clearly not defined in the agreement (possibly as the area was thought too barren to be controversial); this was considered as a violation of the Simla Agreement by Pakistan. Most of the subsequent deaths in the [[Siachen Conflict]] have been from natural disasters, e.g. avalanches in 2010, [[2012 Siachen Glacier avalanche|2012]], and [[2016 Siachen Glacier avalanche|2016]].

== Text ==
Simla Agreement on Bilateral Relations between India and Pakistan signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and President of Pakistan, [[Z. A. Bhutto]], in Simla on 2 July 1972.

{{quotation|
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 subcontinent so that both countries may henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of their people.<ref name=ZEE/>

In order to achieve this objective, the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan have agreed as follows:

(i) That the principles and purposes of the [[Charter of the United Nations]] shall govern the relations between the two countries.<ref name=ZEE/>

(ii) 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 peace and harmonious relations.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=ZEE/>

(iii) That the prerequisite for reconciliation, good neighborliness and durable peace between them is a commitment by both the countries to peaceful coexistence respect for each others territorial integrity and sovereignty and noninterference in each others internal affairs, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. That the basic issues and causes of conflict which have bedeviled the relations between the two countries for the last 25 years shall be resolved by peaceful means.<ref name=Dawn/>

(iv) That they shall always respect each others national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality.<ref name=ZEE/>

(v) 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.

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.

In order progressively to restore and normalize relations between the two countries step by step, it was agreed that:

(i) Steps shall be taken to resume communications, postal, telegraphic, sea, land, including border posts, and air links, including over flights.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=ZEE/>

(ii) Appropriate steps shall be taken to promote travel facilities for the nationals of the other country.<ref name=Dawn/>

(iii) Trade and cooperation in economic and other agreed fields will be resumed as far as possible.<ref name=Dawn/>

(iv) Exchange in the fields of science and culture will be promoted.<ref name=ZEE/>

In this connection delegations from the two countries will meet from time to time to work out the necessary details.

In order to initiate the process of the establishment of durable peace, both the governments agree that:

(i) [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian]] and [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani]] forces shall be withdrawn to their side of the [[international border]].<ref name=Dawn/>

(ii) In [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], the [[Line of Control|line of control]] resulting from the ceasefire of 17 December 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.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=ZEE/>

(iii) The withdrawals shall commence upon entry into force of this agreement and shall be completed within a period of 30 days thereof.<ref name=Dawn/>

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 instruments of ratification are exchanged.<ref name=Dawn/>

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.<ref name=Dawn/>

{{align| right| [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] }} [[Indira Gandhi]]
{{align| right| [[President of Pakistan| President]] }} [[Prime Minister of India| Prime Minister]]
{{align| right| [[Islamic Republic of Pakistan]] }} [[Republic of India]]<br/>
Simla, 2 July 1972.|Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Indira Gandhi.<ref name=MEA_site />
}}

==Delhi Agreement ==
{{Main|Delhi Agreement}}
The Delhi Agreement on the Repatriation of War and Civilian Internees is a tripartite agreement among the aforementioned states, signed on 28 August 1973. The agreement was signed by [[Kamal Hossain]], the Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, [[Sardar Swaran Singh]], Minister of External Affairs of India and [[Aziz Ahmed (civil servant)|Aziz Ahmed]], the Minister of State for Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Government of Pakistan.<ref name="CuttsRefugees2000">{{cite book |author1=Mark Cutts |author2=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |title=The State of the World's Refugees, 2000: Fifty Years of Humanitarian Action |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54Oe1WTfBfAC&pg=PA73 |year=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-924104-0 |pages=73–}}</ref><ref name="Singh2009">{{cite book |author=Sukhwant Singh |title=India's Wars Since Independence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j1VawuyUS-cC&pg=PA538 |date=19 July 2009 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-1-935501-13-8 |pages=538–}}</ref><ref name="Delhi_agreement1974">{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/history/tri.html |title=The text of the Tripartite agreement at Delhi |publisher=Virtualbangladesh |access-date=20 July 2020 |author=The office of the Foreign Minister, Government of Bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514224550/http://virtualbangladesh.com/history/tri.html |archive-date=14 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikisourcepar2|Simla Treaty}}
* [http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5541/Simla+Agreement Official Document of Simla Agreement]

{{Kashmir conflict}}
{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}
{{Bangladesh Liberation War}}

[[Category:1972 in India]]
[[Category:1972 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:1974 in India]]
[[Category:1974 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan treaties]]
[[Category:Diplomacy regarding the Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:Shimla]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 1972]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 1974]]
[[Category:Treaties involving territorial changes]]
[[Category:Treaties of India]]
[[Category:Treaties of Pakistan]]