Pakistan Clarifies: No Decision Yet to Scrap Simla Agreement or Bilateral Accords with India
Islamabad, June 6, 2025 — Amid rising tensions with India over Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has issued a clear statement dismissing reports that the country has officially withdrawn from any bilateral agreements, including the historic 1972 Simla Agreement.
The clarification follows remarks by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who earlier this week described the Simla pact as a "dead document" in light of India’s controversial revocation of Article 370 and recent military escalations along the Line of Control (LoC).
"The Simla Agreement is now a dead document. We are back to the 1948 position," said Asif, referring to the ceasefire line established after the first India-Pakistan war.
While his statement sparked widespread speculation about a potential policy shift, the Foreign Office has moved to quell such rumours. A senior official from the ministry confirmed that no formal decision has been made to terminate or renegotiate any existing bilateral accords with India.
Background: The Simla Agreement and Article 370
The Simla Agreement, signed in July 1972 by then Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, aimed to resolve disputes between the two nations through peaceful means and bilateral dialogue. The accord remains a cornerstone of diplomatic relations, especially regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tensions reignited after India revoked Article 370 in August 2019, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status — a move that Pakistan strongly condemned. The situation has since been marked by diplomatic downgrades, cross-border skirmishes, and inflammatory political rhetoric from both sides.
What This Means Going Forward
Despite the Defence Minister’s strong language, the Foreign Office's clarification suggests that Islamabad is treading carefully in its diplomatic approach, aware of the broader regional and international implications of terminating such agreements.
Observers believe the contrasting statements reflect internal differences within the Pakistani establishment, with hawkish elements pushing for a harder stance, while the diplomatic corps urges caution and adherence to international norms.
For now, the Simla Agreement remains intact, though its relevance and effectiveness continue to be hotly debated in both countries.
Conclusion
The latest developments underscore the fragile state of India-Pakistan relations, where political statements can quickly escalate tensions. While the Simla Agreement may not hold the same political weight it once did, it continues to be a symbol of diplomatic engagement — one that both sides have, for now, chosen not to abandon entirely.
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