Simla Agreement-Text

1. The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan are resolved
that the two countries put an end to the conflict and confrontation
that have hitherto marred their relations and work for the promotion
of a friendly and harmonious relationship and the establishment of
durable peace in the subcontinent, so that both countries may
henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing task
of advancing the welfare of their peoples.

In order to achieve this objective, the Government of India and the
Government of Pakistan have agreed as follows:

(i) That the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United
Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries;
(ii) That the two countries are resolved to settle their
differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations
or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between
them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems
between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally
alter the situation and both shall prevent the organization,
assistance of encouragement of any acts detrimental to the
maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations;
(iii)That the prerequisite for reconciliation, good neighborliness
and durable peace between them is a commitment by both the
countries to peaceful co-existence, respect for each other's
territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference
in each other's internal affairs, on the basis of equality
and mutual benefit;
(iv) That the basic issues and causes of conflict which have
bedeviled the relations between the two countries for the
last 25 years shall be resolved by peaceful means;
(v) That there shall always respect each other's national unity,
territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign
equality;
(vi) That in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
they will refrain from the threat of use of force against
the territorial integrity or political independence of each
other.

2. Both Governments will take steps within their power to prevent
hostile propaganda directed against each other. Both countries will
encourage the dissemination of such information as would promote the
development of friendly relations between them.

3. In order progressively to restore and normalize relations between
the two countries step by step, it was agreed that:

(i) Steps shall be taken to resume communications, postal,
telegraphic, sea, land including border posts, and air links
including overflights.
(ii) Appropriate steps shall be taken to promote travel facilities
for the nationals of the other country.
(iii) Trade and cooperation in economic and other agreed fields
will be resumed as far as possible.
(iv) Exchange in the fields of science and culture will be
promoted.

In this connection delegations from the two countries will meet from
time to time to work out the necessary details.

4. In order to initiate the process of establishment of durable peace,
both the Governments agree that:

(i) Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their side
of the international border.
(ii) In Jammu and Kashmir, the line of control resulting from the
cease-fire of December 17, 1971 shall be respected by both
sides without prejudice to the recognized position of either
side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally,
irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations.
Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or
the use of force in violation of this Line.
(iii) The withdrawals shall commence upon entry into force of this
Agreement and shall be completed within a period of 30 days
thereof.

5. This Agreement will be subject to ratification by both countries in
accordance with their respective constitutional procedures and will
come into force with effect from the date on which the Instruments of
ratification are exchanged.

6. Both Governments agree that their respective Heads will meet again
at a mutually convenient time in the future and that, in the meanwhile,
the representatives of the two sides will meet to discuss further the
modalities and arrangements for the establishment of durable peace and
normalization af relations, including the questions of repatriation
of prisoners of war and civilian interests, a final settlement of
Jammu and Kashmir and the resumption of diplomatic relations.

(Indira Gandhi)
Prime Minister
Republic of India

(Zulfikar Ali Bhutto)
President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Simla, the 2nd July, 1972