Despite recent claims by Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, regarding the status of the Simla Agreement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has clarified that no formal decision has been taken to scrap any bilateral agreements with India. This announcement follows a period of heightened tensions and internal discussions prompted by India's actions, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
A senior Foreign Office official, speaking to the Express Tribune newspaper, stated that while India's recent actions and statements had led to internal deliberations, Pakistan has not made any conclusive move to annul bilateral accords with New Delhi. "At present, there is no formal decision to terminate any bilateral accord," the official affirmed, indicating that existing agreements, including the Simla Agreement, remain in effect.
The Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, established a framework for resolving disputes through peaceful and bilateral means. It converted the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir into the Line of Control (LoC) and obligated both sides to refrain from the threat or use of force, while respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Khawaja Asif's earlier remarks, made during a television interview, had suggested that the Simla Agreement had lost its relevance due to India's recent "unilateral actions." He argued that the agreement was now a "dead document" and that future disputes would need to be addressed through multilateral or international channels. Asif specifically pointed to India's revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 as a key factor undermining the foundations of bilateral engagement. He also questioned the status of other agreements, including the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Foreign Office's clarification suggests a divergence in views within the Pakistani government regarding the future of bilateral relations with India. While the Defence Minister expressed a more hardline stance, emphasizing the perceived breakdown of the bilateral framework, the Foreign Ministry appears to be advocating for a more cautious approach, maintaining that existing agreements remain in effect for the time being.
This situation unfolds against a backdrop of strained relations between the two countries. Tensions have been further exacerbated after India suspended a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, Pakistan announced a raft of tit-for-tat measures against Delhi. Hostilities between the two sides ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Despite these challenges, India has consistently stated its desire for normal neighborly relations with Pakistan in an environment free from terror, hostility, and violence. India's policy remains committed to addressing issues bilaterally and peacefully, in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. However, India has also made it clear that it will not compromise on issues related to its national security and will take firm measures to counter any attempts to undermine its security and territorial integrity.
