The Shimla Agreement, also spelled Simla Agreement. It is a peace treaty signed between India and Pakistan on July 2, 1972, in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, India. It was signed by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, and the President of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which led to the independence of Bangladesh.
The primary aim of the Shimla Agreement was to establish a framework for peaceful and cooperative relations between the two countries.
📜 Important Points of the Shimla Agreement
| Aspects | Details |
| Signed By | Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of IndiaZulfikar Ali Bhutto, President (later Prime Minister) of Pakistan |
| Objective | To establish a durable peace and normalize relations between India and Pakistan after the 1971 war. |
| Major Provisions | |
| Peaceful Resolution of Issues | Both countries agreed to resolve disputes through bilateral talks and without third-party intervention (no involvement of the UN or other countries). |
| Respect for Line of Control (LoC) | The ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir was renamed as the Line of Control (LoC), which both sides agreed to respect and not alter unilaterally. |
| Return of Prisoners of War (POWs) | India agreed to release over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers captured during the war. |
| Normalization of Relations | Both countries agreed to work on diplomatic, economic, and trade relations to promote mutual cooperation, including steps to restore communications, promote travel, and encourage exchanges in science and culture. |
🧠 Why It’s Important:
- It laid the foundation for future talks and peace efforts.
- Reinforced the principle of bilateralism in India-Pakistan relations.
- Has been referenced repeatedly in diplomatic discussions, especially regarding Kashmir.
