Shimla Agreement Void: Severe setback for Pakistan’s tough decision
✅ Summary (60 words)
The repercussions of Pakistan’s move to abandon the Shimla Agreement has been contrary, and has instead revealed further diplomatic weaknesses for Pakistan and could even pave the way for India to act with more freedom in Kashmir. The costs of this move are both economic and strategic, while any upside is negligible; and the criticism is rising both domestically and internationally. India is gaining the advantage, while everyone’s immediately asking “In the long run, what is Pakistan’s strategy?” and more importantly, “Will Pakistan uphold any international agreements?”.
Table of Contents
Shimla Accord Abrogated – Pakistan’s surprise announcement to abrogate the historic Shimla Accord has sparked a worldwide debate, raising questions about regional stability and calling for a rethink of their strategy. However, instead of pushing India back, Pakistan has exposed its growing vulnerabilities.
🇮🇳 What Was the Shimla Agreement?
Shimla Agreement Cancelled
The Shimla Accord was a peace agreement between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, signed on July 2, 1972, after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War that created Bangladesh and involved the surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani troops to India.
The terms of the Shimla Agreement stipulated that both countries would settle their differences, namely the Kashmir issue, through bilateral talks without the involvement of any third party. The agreement established the Line of Control (LoC) as a new provisional border and converted the existing 1949 Armistice Line into a mutually recognized de facto border.
🤯 Shimla Agreement Cancelled: What Led to It?
In retaliation for India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan said it would terminate all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Treaty. The aim was to demonstrate strength but this act illustrates the opposite.
From banning Indian airspace to restricting trade, Pakistan tried to emulate India’s diplomatic moves but, from India’s point of view, these diplomatic attempts to counter India were mere token gestures that did not affect India’s position much at this point. India’s happiness since 2019, trade between the countries has almost completely stopped!
💥 The Backlash: Did Pakistan Shoot Itself in the Foot?
Yes, by declaring the Shimla Agreement abrogated, Pakistan is placing a significant limitation on its ability to develop future diplomatic, security or political options with India by allowing India to:
Deny the sanctity of the Line of Control formalized by the Shimla Agreement.
Rationalize military strikes across the LoC against terror camps.
Publicly demonstrate that Pakistan cannot be relied upon to honor treaties.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s efforts to counter India, besides suspending trade and banning airspace, are symbolic and have limited long-term strategic implications!
🌍 Why Is the World Laughing at This Diplomacy?
The international community views Pakistan’s decision as naive and diplomacy clearly short-sighted. The decision to break the Shimla accord practically undermines Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir, as the accord is one of Pakistan’s strongest legal arguments in global fora.
Even formerly friendly countries may assume that Pakistan’s actions are unreliable, Pakistan has no credibility if it is able to break the peace agreement it signed in front of the international community in any signed document.
💬 Shimla Agreement Cancelled: Reactions from Within Pakistan
Several journalists and defense analysts were highly critical of the situation. Sarcastic references to Pakistan as “throwing stones at its own head”. Prominent defense commentator Qamar Cheema received serious pushback for recommending armed conflict with India, while others called for peace and diplomacy.
Ironically, explaining that India has a strategic advantage has not gone unnoticed by some sections of the Pakistani media, which are not immersed in the self-proclaimed internal chaos.
✈️ Economic & Diplomatic Fallout
The trade loss is negligible: India exported roughly $523 million to Pakistan in 2023, while imports were around $258 million — disproportionate for both economies.
Indirect trade is going on, however, with products going to Pakistan via the UAE at a higher cost.
Airspace closure will affect airlines somewhat as it will increase travel time and flights and travel costs by around 10-12%, but this is still nothing compared to India’s actions in sharing water.
⚔️ Geopolitical Implications: LoC and Kashmir
With the conclusion of the Shimla Agreement, it can be concluded that India is no longer politically bound to treat the LoC as a peace border. This could justify conducting surgical strikes or, more alarmingly, deeper military action in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), especially if provoked.
To further trouble Pakistan, India abrogated Article 370, which states India’s rights over Jammu and Kashmir. Now Pakistan’s own actions have shown that India has a strong narrative to other countries.
🔥 Closing Notes: Who Are The Real Winners?
🔥 Final Thoughts: Who Really Wins?
Pakistan has tried to put pressure on India by canceling the Shimla accord but the result of Pakistan’s gambit seems to be against their intentions.
India is far superior legally, diplomatically and militarily. Pakistan’s gamble has consolidated the spectrum of Indian political voices and exposed Pakistan’s confused foreign policy to the world.
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