Simla Agreement

2 July 1972 · Simla (Shimla), India

Pakistan & South Asia

Background

After the 1971 war, India held about 90,000 Pakistani prisoners and some 5,000 square miles of territory in West Pakistan. At Simla the leaders agreed to respect the Line of Control that resulted from the ceasefire of 17 December 1971, settle differences through bilateral talks, and pull troops back to the international border. India often cites it to reject outside mediation on Kashmir.

Signed by

Pakistan (Z. A. Bhutto) and India (Indira Gandhi)

Why it matters

Signed after the 1971 war: both agreed to settle disputes bilaterally and peacefully, the Kashmir ceasefire line became the Line of Control (LoC), and occupied territory was returned.