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Simla Agreement - Agreement Between the Government of India and the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Bilateral Relations
Date: July 2, 1972
Place: Simla, India
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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
sub-continent, so that both countries may henceforth devote their
resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare
of their peoples.
In order to achieve this objective, the Government of India and the
Government of Pakistan
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
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That the principles
and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the
relations between the two countries;
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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 organisation,
assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the
maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations;
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That the
pre-requisites 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 internal affairs,
on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
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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;
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That they shall always
respect each other's national unity, territorial integrity,
political independence and sovereign equality;
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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.
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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.
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In order progressively
to restore and normalise relations between the two countries step by
step, it would agree that :
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Steps shall be taken
to resume communications, postal, telegraphic, sea, land including
border posts, and air link including overflights;
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Appropriate steps
shall be taken to promote travel facilities for the nationals of the
other country;
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Exchange in the fields
of science and culture will be promoted.
In this connection delegation from the two countries will meet from
time to time to work out the necessary details.
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In order to initiate the
process of the establishment of durable peace, both the Governments
agree that :
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Indian and Pakistani
forces shall be withdrawn to their side of the international border;
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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
recognised 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;
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The withdrawals shall
commence upon entry into force of this Agreement and shall be
completed within a period of 30 days thereof.
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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.
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Both Governments agree
that the 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 normalisation
of relations, including the questions of repatriation of prisoners of
war and civilians internees, a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir
and the resumption of diplomatic relations.
Sd/-
Indira Gandhi
Prime Minister
Republic of India
Sd/-
Zulifkar Ali Bhutto
President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Simla,
the 2nd July 1972
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