Liaquat–Nehru Pact (Delhi Pact)

8 April 1950 · New Delhi

Pakistan & South Asia

Background

Communal violence in East and West Bengal in early 1950 drove huge numbers of refugees across the border. Liaquat Ali Khan travelled to Delhi, and the two prime ministers agreed on minority commissions in both countries, protection of minorities' lives, property and honour, and the right of migrants to return. Two Indian ministers, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee, resigned in protest.

Signed by

Pakistan (Liaquat Ali Khan) and India (Jawaharlal Nehru)

Why it matters

Both countries promised to protect the rights of religious minorities and to let refugees return, after communal violence in Bengal.