How Pakistan’s Suspension of the Simla Agreement Becomes a Big Advantage for India | TDG Explainer

Tensions between India and Pakistan sharply increased after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Armed terrorists attacked a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people. This tragic incident led to strong reactions across India. In response, India took five major security actions. Pakistan, in turn, retaliated with bold countermeasures.

Pakistan’s Retaliation

Following India’s response, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. After the meeting, Pakistan introduced several measures against India. Firstly, it closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. Secondly, it suspended all trade with India. Additionally, it froze all bilateral agreements, including the 1972 Simla Agreement.

While Pakistan aimed to send a strong message to India, suspending the Simla Agreement unintentionally gave India three significant advantages. To understand these benefits, it is crucial to first understand the events leading up to this situation and the importance of the Simla Agreement.

What Triggered the Tensions?

After the Pahalgam attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convened a meeting. It then announced five major measures, calling them “a decisive response to cross-border terrorism.” These measures were as follows:

1. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism.

2. Immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.

3. Cancellation of Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistani nationals holding these visas had 48 hours to leave India.

4. India declared Pakistani defence, navy, and air force advisers at the Indian High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. India also recalled its military staff from Islamabad.

5. India reduced its High Commission staff in Islamabad from 55 to 30.

Pakistan’s Counteractions

The day after India’s announcement, Pakistan held its own NSC meeting. It decided to take the following steps:

• Rejection of India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan warned that any diversion of water would be treated as an “Act of War”.

• Suspension of the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements until India alters its behavior.

• Closure of the Wagah border post, allowing return travel only until April 30, 2025.

• Suspension of all Saarc visas for Indian nationals, except for Sikh religious pilgrims. Indian nationals with SVES visas were given 48 hours to leave.

• Expulsion of Indian defence, naval, and air advisers from Pakistan’s High Commission, with a deadline of April 30, 2025. Pakistan also reduced India’s High Commission staff to 30.

• Closure of Pakistan’s airspace to all Indian-operated aircraft.

• Suspension of all trade with India, including third-country routed trade.

• Pakistan promised a “full-spectrum national power response” if its sovereignty was threatened.

Although these measures were expected by India, the suspension of the Simla Agreement stood out. So, what exactly is this agreement, and how does its suspension benefit India?

What is the Simla Agreement?

The Simla Agreement was signed in July 1972 between India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It came after Pakistan’s defeat in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

The agreement aimed to build peaceful and stable relations between the two countries. It emphasized resolving disputes bilaterally and stated that both sides should respect the Line of Control (LoC). Moreover, it discouraged the use of force in the region.

Since its signing, the agreement has contributed to maintaining relative peace. However, with its suspension, the future of these peace efforts is uncertain.

How Does This Help India?

While suspending the Simla Agreement weakens peace initiatives, it also presents three key advantages for India:

1. LoC’s Legal Status is Now in Question

The Simla Agreement’s Clause 4 stated that both sides must respect the LoC and not alter it unilaterally. It said, “Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their respective side of the international border.”

“In Jammu and Kashmir, the Line of Control resulting from the cease-fire of December 17, 1971, shall be respected by both sides… Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally… Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this Line.”

However, with the suspension of the Simla Agreement, this clause no longer holds. The LoC’s legal protection is now void, allowing both countries, especially India, to take unilateral actions. Notably, Pakistan has previously violated this agreement. In 1984, Pakistan attempted to capture the Siachen Glacier, which led to Operation Meghdoot by India. As a result, India now controls the glacier.

2. Military Options Are Now Available

The Simla Agreement’s Clause 1, Subsection 2 stated:

“The two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations… Neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation… Both shall prevent the organisation, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations.”

Now that the agreement is suspended, India can consider military options without violating the treaty. This gives India more flexibility to deal with ongoing terrorist threats, especially along the border.

3. Global Support Is Now More Likely

The Simla Agreement required India and Pakistan to resolve their differences without involving international actors. However, Pakistan has repeatedly taken its issues to the international stage, particularly after India’s revocation of Article 370. This move violated the spirit of the agreement.

With the Simla Agreement suspended, India can leverage its improved global relations. India now enjoys strong ties with major powers like the United States, Russia, Israel, and European countries. It can use this influence to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.

For instance, when the New York Times initially reported that the Pahalgam attackers were “militants in Kashmir,” the US House Foreign Affairs Committee corrected the terminology, calling them “terrorists.”

Conclusion

Although Pakistan’s decision to suspend the Simla Agreement was intended to punish India, it may actually benefit India. The suspension allows India to act freely along the LoC, use military options if needed, and gather global support. While the long-term effects are uncertain, India is now in a stronger position than before. The outcome of these shifts will depend on how both nations navigate this new phase in their relationship.