The Simla Agreement, also spelled Shimla Agreement, is a bilateral peace treaty and framework agreement signed between India and Pakistan on 2 July 1972 in Shimla, the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It followed Pakistan's defeat in the India–Pakistan war of 1971, which began after India intervened in the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan on Mukti Bahini's side against Pakistan Armed Forces.

The treaty's official purpose is 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.

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, Tyakshi (earlier called Tiaqsi) and Chalunka in the Chorbat Valley,, comprising more than 883&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

On 23 April 2025, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, alleging Pakistan's involvement in the 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pakistan officially condemned the attack and denied the claim of its involvement and, in-turn, suspended the Simla Agreement on 24 April 2025, as well as suspending trade with India and closing land and air routes.

Details

The treaty was signed in 1972 in Simla (also spelt "Shimla" in India) by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the President of Pakistan, and Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India. Some of the major outcomes of the Simla Agreement are:

  • Both countries will "settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations". 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.
  • 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".

References

  • Official Document of Simla Agreement