Pakistan Shimla Agreement Latest News June 2025

Pakistan and the Shimla Agreement: Latest News, Analysis, and Future Implications

 The 1972 Shimla Agreement, a landmark peace treaty between India and Pakistan, is back in the spotlight after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared it a “dead document” on June 3, 2025 17. However, within 24 hours, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry contradicted this statement, clarifying that no formal decision had been made to revoke the agreement.

Pakistan and the Shimla Agreement article provides a comprehensive, analysis of:

• Latest developments in Pakistan’s stance on the Shimla Agreement
• Key provisions of the 1972 treaty and its historical context
• Implications of Pakistan’s contradictory statements
• Future of India-Pakistan relations amid rising tensions

1. Latest News: Pakistan’s Conflicting Statements on the Shimla Agreement
2. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s “Dead Document” Claim

On June 3, 2025, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated in a televised interview:

• “The Shimla Agreement is now a dead document.”
• “We are back to the 1948 position,” referring to the UN-mandated ceasefire line in Kashmir 7.
• He argued that India’s revocation of Article 370 (2019) and recent military clashes had invalidated the bilateral framework.

1. Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s Swift Clarification

The very next day (June 4, 2025), Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a contradictory statement:

• No formal decision has been taken to scrap the Shimla Agreement.
• All bilateral treaties with India, including Shimla, remain in effect.
• The ministry acknowledged internal discussions but emphasized no official policy change.

1. Why the Mixed Signals?

• Domestic Politics: Asif’s statement may reflect hardline posturing to appease nationalist factions.
• Diplomatic Damage Control: The Foreign Ministry likely intervened to prevent further escalation with India.
• Strategic Ambiguity: Pakistan may be testing global reactions before committing to a policy shift.

2. What Is the Shimla Agreement? Key Provisions

Signed on July 2, 1972, after the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Shimla Agreement aimed to:

• Establish lasting peace through bilateral negotiations.
• Convert the ceasefire line in Jammu & Kashmir into the Line of Control (LoC).
• Prevent third-party mediation (a win for India, as Pakistan had sought UN involvement).

Core Principles 25:

1. Bilateral Dispute Resolution: Both nations agreed to resolve conflicts without external interference.
2. Respect for the LoC: Neither side would unilaterally alter the Kashmir ceasefire line.
3. Renunciation of Force: Both countries pledged to avoid military aggression.
4. Normalization of Relations: Steps to restore trade, travel, and diplomatic ties.

Why Was It Significant?

• Post-1971 War Diplomacy: India had 90,000 Pakistani POWs; the deal secured their return.
• Bhutto’s Verbal Assurance: Pakistan’s PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto privately assured India he would accept the LoC as a de facto border—though this was never formalized.

3. Why Is Pakistan Questioning the Agreement Now?
4. India’s Article 370 Move (2019)

• Pakistan argues that India’s revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status violated Shimla’s spirit of bilateralism.
• India maintains that Kashmir is an internal matter, rejecting Pakistan’s objections.
  Email *

  Subscribe

1. Recent Military Escalations

• April 22, 2025: Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.
• May 7, 2025: India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in PoK.
• Pakistan retaliated, leading to cross-border skirmishes.

1. Pakistan’s Frustration with Bilateralism

• With no progress on Kashmir, Pakistan now seeks multilateral intervention (e.g., UN, OIC).
• Asif hinted at reviving pre-1972 UN resolutions calling for a Kashmir plebiscite.

4. Implications of Scrapping the Shimla Agreement
5. For India

• Loss of Diplomatic Leverage: India has long rejected third-party mediation; without Shimla, Pakistan could internationalize Kashmir 5.
• Increased UN Pressure: Pakistan may push for Security Council debates on Kashmir.

1. For Pakistan

• Risk of Isolation: Major powers (US, EU) support bilateral talks; Pakistan may lose credibility.
• Military Vulnerability: Without Shimla’s conflict-resolution framework, escalation risks rise.

1. For Global Powers

• US & China: May face pressure to mediate, though both prefer stability.
• UN Role: Could be dragged back into India-Pakistan disputes after decades of sidelining Kashmir.

5. What’s Next? Future of India-Pakistan Relations
6. Short-Term Outlook

• Continued Rhetorical Clashes: Pakistan’s leadership may keep alternating between hardline and conciliatory tones.
• Military Standoffs: LoC skirmishes could escalate without confidence-building measures.

1. Long-Term Scenarios

1. Status Quo: Shimla remains in place, but no meaningful dialogue resumes.
2. Formal Termination: Pakistan exits Shimla, seeks UN intervention—risking Indian backlash.
3. Renegotiation: Both nations revive backchannel diplomacy to amend the agreement 7.

Conclusion: Will the Shimla Agreement Survive?

• For Now, Yes: Despite Asif’s remarks, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has upheld the treaty.
• But Tensions Remain: India’s firm stance on Kashmir and Pakistan’s frustration with bilateral talks keep the agreement fragile.

Final Verdict:

• Diplomats: Expect no immediate collapse, but prepare for increased Pakistan-led UN lobbying.
• Investors: Watch for military escalations that could destabilize South Asia.
• Analysts: A new India-Pakistan dialogue framework may be needed to replace Shimla in the long run.

FAQs on the Shimla Agreement

Q1. Did Pakistan officially scrap the Shimla Agreement?
A: No. The Foreign Ministry clarified that no formal decision has been made.

Q2. What happens if Pakistan withdraws from Shimla?
A: Pakistan could revive UN resolutions on Kashmir, but India may reject any third-party role.

Q3. Why did India sign the Shimla Agreement in 1972?
A: To ensure POW returns, stabilize borders, and block UN interference in Kashmir.

About The Author

Sanashh

See author's posts