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Tashkent Declaration
Date: January 10, 1966
Place: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Historical Context
The 1965 armed conflict between India and Pakistan was formally brought
to an end by signing this declaration at Tashkent, the capital of the
Republic of Uzbekistan in the Soviet Union. Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
Shastri and President Ayub Khan signed it on behalf of their respective
countries in the presence of the Soviet Premier Alexi Kosygin who
mediated between them.
Text of the Tashkent
Declaration (signed on January 10, 1966)
The Prime Minister of
India and the President of Pakistan, having met at Tashkent and having
discussed the existing relations between India and Pakistan, hereby
declare their firm resolve to restore normal and peaceful relations
between their countries and to promote understanding and friendly
relations between their peoples. They consider the attainment of these
objectives of vital importance for the welfare of the 600 million people
of India and Pakistan.
I
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan agree that
both sides will exert all efforts to create good neighborly relations
between India and Pakistan in accordance with the United Nations
Charter. They reaffirm their obligation under the Charter not to have
recourse to force and to settle their disputes through peaceful means.
They considered that the interests of peace in their region and
particularly in the Indo-Pakistan Sub-Continent and, indeed, the
interests of the people so India and Pakistan were not served by the
continuance of tension between the two countries. It was against this
background that Jammu and Kashmir was discussed, and each of the sides
set forth its respective position.
II
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that all armed personnel of the two countries shall be withdrawn not
later than 24 February, 1966, to the positions they held prior to 5
August, 1965, and both sides all observe the cease-fire terms on the
cease-fire line.
III
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that relations between India and Pakistan shall be based on the
principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.
IV
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that both sides will discourage any propaganda directed against the
other country, and will encourage propaganda which promotes the
development of friendly relations between the two countries.
V
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the High Commissioner of India to Pakistan and the High
Commissioner of Pakistan to India will return to their posts and that
the normal functioning of diplomatic missions of both countries will be
restored. Both Government shall observe the Vienna Convention of 1961 on
Diplomatic Intercourse.
VI
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed to
consider measures towards the restoration of economic and trade
relations, communications, as well as cultural exchanges between India
and Pakistan, and to take measures to implement the existing agreements
between India and Pakistan.
VII
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that they will give instructions to their respective authorities to
carry out the repatriation of the prisoners of war.
VIII
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the two sides will continue the discussion of questions relating to
the problems of refugees and eviction/illegal immigrations. They also
agreed that both sides will create conditions which will prevent the
exodus of people. They further agreed to discuss the return of the
property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the
conflict.
IX
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the two sides will continue meetings both at the highest and at
other levels on matters of direct concern to both countries. Both sides
have recognized the need to set up joint Indian-Pakistani bodies which
will report to their Governments in order to decide what further steps
should be taken.
The Prime Minister of
India and the President of Pakistan recorded their feelings of deep
appreciation and gratitude to the leaders of the Soviet Union, the
Soviet Government and personally to the Chairman of the Council of
Ministers of the U.S.S.R. for their constructive, friendly and noble
part in bringing about the present meeting which has resulted in
mutually satisfactory results. They also express to the Government and
friendly people of Uzbekistan their sincere thankfulness for their
overwhelming reception and generous hospitality.
They invite the Chairman
of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. to witness this declaration.
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