Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
In retaliation, India announced a string of strong measures, including the suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals and the cancellation of all previously issued visas, even those granted on medical grounds.
Mirroring India’s actions, Pakistan convened a rare meeting of its National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Among the key resolutions passed was the decision to place all bilateral agreements with India “in abeyance”, specifically naming the Simla Agreement—a key diplomatic accord that has shaped India-Pakistan relations since the early 1970s.
Also read: From Simla Agreement to Indus Waters Treaty: Bilateral agreements signed between India & Pakistan since 1947
Repeated violations of the Simla Agreement by Pakistan
Despite its foundational role in shaping Indo-Pak relations post-1971, the Simla Agreement has seen repeated breaches—mostly by Pakistan. Several key incidents highlight how the accord's principles were either undermined or bypassed entirely.
Siachen intrusion and Operation Meghdoot (1984)
According to the 1949 Karachi Agreement, the ceasefire line extended to point NJ9842 and was to continue “north to the glaciers.”
Despite this, Pakistan made moves in the early 1980s to occupy the Siachen Glacier region, attempting to shift the military balance in the area.
In response, India launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984 and took full control of the glacier.
The military operation, still ongoing in terms of deployment, marked a direct violation of the understanding not to alter territorial arrangements unilaterally.
Kargil War (1999)
In one of the most blatant breaches, Pakistani soldiers and armed insurgents crossed the LoC and occupied positions on Indian territory in the Kargil sector.
The intrusions spanned an area of about 150 square kilometres and strategically overlooked the Srinagar-Leh highway (NH-1). India launched a military campaign to reclaim the positions in a conflict that lasted nearly three months.
This action contradicted the agreement’s clause that barred any attempt to change the LoC through force.
Ceasefire violations post-2003
Both countries recommitted to a ceasefire along the LoC in November 2003. For several years, the truce held—with no reported firing between 2003 and 2006.
However, since 2006, Pakistan has frequently violated the ceasefire through shelling and cross-border firing, leading to military and civilian casualties.
These actions continue to undermine the Simla Agreement’s core objective of maintaining peace and mutual respect for established boundaries.
Also read: Pakistan’s Simla pact pullout hints at sharp break from peace-based path in India relations
What is the Simla Agreement?
Signed on July 2, 1972, and effective from August 4 the same year, the Simla Agreement was a landmark peace accord between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
It followed the conclusion of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and saw the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers—an event considered the largest military capitulation since World War II.
The accord aimed to “end the conflict and confrontation” and lay the groundwork for peaceful bilateral relations.
It formalised the ceasefire line from the war into what is now known as the Line of Control (LoC), reinforcing a commitment to resolve all issues—especially Kashmir—through peaceful dialogue and without altering the status quo unilaterally.
In retaliation, India announced a string of strong measures, including the suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals and the cancellation of all previously issued visas, even those granted on medical grounds.
Mirroring India’s actions, Pakistan convened a rare meeting of its National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Among the key resolutions passed was the decision to place all bilateral agreements with India “in abeyance”, specifically naming the Simla Agreement—a key diplomatic accord that has shaped India-Pakistan relations since the early 1970s.
Also read: From Simla Agreement to Indus Waters Treaty: Bilateral agreements signed between India & Pakistan since 1947
Repeated violations of the Simla Agreement by Pakistan
Despite its foundational role in shaping Indo-Pak relations post-1971, the Simla Agreement has seen repeated breaches—mostly by Pakistan. Several key incidents highlight how the accord's principles were either undermined or bypassed entirely.
Siachen intrusion and Operation Meghdoot (1984)
According to the 1949 Karachi Agreement, the ceasefire line extended to point NJ9842 and was to continue “north to the glaciers.”
Despite this, Pakistan made moves in the early 1980s to occupy the Siachen Glacier region, attempting to shift the military balance in the area.
In response, India launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984 and took full control of the glacier.
The military operation, still ongoing in terms of deployment, marked a direct violation of the understanding not to alter territorial arrangements unilaterally.
Kargil War (1999)
In one of the most blatant breaches, Pakistani soldiers and armed insurgents crossed the LoC and occupied positions on Indian territory in the Kargil sector.
The intrusions spanned an area of about 150 square kilometres and strategically overlooked the Srinagar-Leh highway (NH-1). India launched a military campaign to reclaim the positions in a conflict that lasted nearly three months.
This action contradicted the agreement’s clause that barred any attempt to change the LoC through force.
Ceasefire violations post-2003
Both countries recommitted to a ceasefire along the LoC in November 2003. For several years, the truce held—with no reported firing between 2003 and 2006.
However, since 2006, Pakistan has frequently violated the ceasefire through shelling and cross-border firing, leading to military and civilian casualties.
These actions continue to undermine the Simla Agreement’s core objective of maintaining peace and mutual respect for established boundaries.
Also read: Pakistan’s Simla pact pullout hints at sharp break from peace-based path in India relations
What is the Simla Agreement?
Signed on July 2, 1972, and effective from August 4 the same year, the Simla Agreement was a landmark peace accord between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
It followed the conclusion of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and saw the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers—an event considered the largest military capitulation since World War II.
The accord aimed to “end the conflict and confrontation” and lay the groundwork for peaceful bilateral relations.
It formalised the ceasefire line from the war into what is now known as the Line of Control (LoC), reinforcing a commitment to resolve all issues—especially Kashmir—through peaceful dialogue and without altering the status quo unilaterally.
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