The recent suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement by Pakistan marks a significant and troubling escalation in the already strained relations between the two South Asian neighbors. This move, announced on April 24, 2025, comes in the wake of India’s strong diplomatic and security responses following the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives. Pakistan’s decision to put the landmark peace treaty and all other bilateral agreements “in abeyance” signals a dangerous deterioration in diplomatic engagement and raises serious questions about the future of peace and stability in the region.
Historically, the Simla Agreement’s legacy has been mixed. While it did help restore communication and reduce immediate tensions after the 1971 war, it failed to deliver a permanent solution to the Kashmir dispute. Major confrontations such as the Siachen conflict in 1984 and the Kargil War in 1999 erupted despite the pact’s existence, highlighting its limitations in preventing armed conflict. Nevertheless, the agreement’s framework provided a reference point for dialogue and crisis management, helping to de-escalate situations before they spiraled out of control. Its suspension removes this safety net and leaves both countries without a mutually agreed mechanism for engagement during crises.
The current diplomatic freeze is already affecting people-to-people ties and regional stability. The suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, for instance, has forced Indian nationals in Pakistan (except Sikh pilgrims) to leave within 48 hours, and vice versa. The shutdown of the Attari and Wagah border posts has halted the movement of goods and people, disrupting trade worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. With both sides expelling diplomats and military advisers, the channels for backdoor diplomacy and conflict resolution are narrowing, making the risk of miscalculation and escalation even greate.
Simla Agreement: The Cornerstone of India-Pakistan Peace Framework
Signed on July 2, 1972, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, the Simla Agreement was a pivotal accord between then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was designed to normalize relations following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and a decisive Indian victory. The treaty laid down a framework for peaceful coexistence, emphasizing bilateral negotiations as the exclusive means to resolve disputes, particularly the Kashmir conflict.
Key provisions of the agreement included the redefinition of the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir as the Line of Control (LoC), mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, the repatriation of prisoners of war, and a commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force. The accord also underscored the importance of preventing hostile propaganda and fostering friendly relations. For decades, the Simla Agreement served as the guiding principle for diplomatic engagement and conflict management between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The Simla Agreement was not just a diplomatic handshake after the 1971 war; it was a comprehensive document that established the Line of Control (LoC) as the de facto border in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the earlier ceasefire line. This redrawing of boundaries was significant, as it formalized the positions held by both armies at the end of the conflict and was meant to prevent future territorial disputes. Over the decades, the LoC has remained a flashpoint, with frequent ceasefire violations—over 5,000 incidents were reported in 2020 alone, according to Indian government data. The agreement’s suspension now puts these fragile protocols under severe stress, raising fears of a spike in cross-border firing and infiltration attempts.
Pakistan’s Suspension: A Retaliatory and Risky Move
Pakistan’s announcement to suspend the Simla Agreement and all bilateral pacts came as a direct response to India’s retaliatory measures after the Pahalgam terror attack, which Islamabad blamed on cross-border terrorism allegedly supported by India. India had ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country by April 29, suspended all visas including medical and diplomatic permits, and indefinitely suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960—a critical water-sharing accord that had survived multiple wars.
In a tit-for-tat response, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, suspended trade, revoked visas issued under the SAARC visa exemption scheme, and downgraded diplomatic staff at the Indian High Commission to 30 persons. The suspension of the Simla Agreement is particularly alarming because it undermines the very foundation of peaceful dispute resolution, potentially reopening old wounds and internationalizing the Kashmir issue once again.
Pakistan justified its move by accusing India of “manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan” and claimed it would hold all bilateral agreements “in abeyance” until India ceased such actions. This stance threatens to derail decades of diplomatic efforts and raises the specter of renewed conflict in a region already fraught with volatility.
The immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack saw a cascade of retaliatory actions on both sides. India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—a pact that had survived three wars—was a particularly drastic step, given that it governs the flow of water from six rivers shared by the two countries. Pakistan, which relies on these rivers for irrigation and drinking water, labeled this move an “act of war” and convened its National Security Committee to craft a response. The closure of the Wagah border, airspace restrictions, and the suspension of all trade and visa agreements further illustrate the rapid unraveling of bilateral engagement, with direct impacts on thousands of families and businesses that depend on cross-border movement.
Implications for the Line of Control and Kashmir Stability
The Simla Agreement’s establishment of the Line of Control was a landmark achievement in stabilizing the Kashmir region, effectively creating a de facto border that both countries agreed not to alter unilaterally. Pakistan’s suspension of the treaty casts a shadow over this fragile status quo. Without the binding framework of the Simla Agreement, the risk of military skirmishes, ceasefire violations, and escalations along the LoC increases significantly.
India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and has resisted any third-party mediation, insisting on bilateral dialogue as stipulated by the Simla Agreement. However, Pakistan’s recent actions, including the suspension of the pact, challenge this bilateral framework and may push the Kashmir dispute back into the international arena, complicating peace prospects.
Moreover, Pakistan has accused India of violating the agreement by revoking Article 370 in 2019, which altered the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and allowed outsiders to obtain domicile rights. India, on the other hand, views these changes as internal matters and rejects claims of treaty violations. This fundamental disagreement over the interpretation and implementation of the Simla Agreement has further strained ties.
The Simla Agreement had always been contested in its interpretation. India has consistently used it to argue against any third-party or international mediation, insisting that all disputes must be resolved bilaterally. Pakistan, however, has often sought to internationalize the Kashmir issue, appealing to the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for intervention. With the agreement now suspended, Islamabad may intensify its efforts to draw in external actors, a move that New Delhi has historically resisted and which could further complicate the already volatile regional dynamics.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and the Urgent Need for Dialogue
The suspension of the Simla Agreement represents a negative turning point, threatening to undo years of painstaking diplomatic efforts aimed at peace and stability in South Asia. Both India and Pakistan now face the daunting challenge of managing heightened tensions while preventing further deterioration.
India has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the situation and has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat to convey its concerns. The international community watches closely, aware that any escalation between these nuclear-armed neighbors could have far-reaching consequences.
Rebuilding trust will require both sides to revisit the principles of the Simla Agreement with a renewed commitment to peaceful dialogue and respect for sovereignty. While the current geopolitical climate is fraught with mistrust and hostility, the legacy of the 1972 pact offers a framework—albeit strained—for future engagement.
Pakistan’s suspension of the agreement may be seen as a reaction to immediate provocations, but it risks long-term instability and undermines the prospects for peaceful coexistence. For the sake of millions living in the region, both nations must urgently explore avenues to de-escalate tensions and resume meaningful dialogue.
The suspension of the Simla Agreement by Pakistan is a critical juncture in South Asian geopolitics. It underscores the fragility of peace efforts and the urgent need for renewed dialogue to prevent further conflict. As both nations grapple with deep-seated mistrust and recent provocations, the legacy of the 1972 pact stands as a reminder of the possibilities for peaceful resolution—if both sides choose to engage constructively.
These developments underscore the gravity of Pakistan’s suspension of the Simla Agreement and the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration in South Asia’s security environment.
