The Simla Agreement: An unaccomplished peace
The Simla Agreement signed between India and Pakistan on 02 July 1972 has completed 50 years.
It had prepared a comprehensive framework for good neighborly relations between India and Pakistan. It was signed to establish peace after the 1971 war.
The main principles of the Simla Agreement-
- To adopt the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter to govern the relations between two nations.
- Mutual commitment to peaceful resolution of all issues through direct bilateral means.
- To build cooperative relations between the two countries with special focus on people-to-people contacts.
- Not violating the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the most important confidence building measure between India and Pakistan. At the same time, it is also the key to lasting peace.
- Respecting each other’s national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality.
On one hand India has faithfully followed the principles of Simla Agreement, on the other hand Pakistan has not lived up to its initial promises. He keeps raising the issue of Kashmir in international forums. Also, it keeps on seeking the involvement of third parties to find the solution.
Apart from the Simla Agreement, the Lahore Declaration (1999) has also reiterated that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved bilaterally.
Source – The Hindu
