India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty After Pahalgam Attack: A Look at the Key India-Pakistan Agreements That Shaped Bilateral Ties
In a dramatic escalation of tensions following the brutal terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan—a landmark pact that has stood for over six decades. The terror attack, attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—prompted swift retaliatory measures from New Delhi.
In addition to suspending the water-sharing treaty, India has revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, barring all scheduled visitors under this programme. The Attari-Wagah border has also been shut, halting the last overland connectivity between the two neighbours. Moreover, Indian authorities have declared Pakistani diplomats and defence advisors persona non grata, giving them seven days to leave the country.
These actions signal a sharp turn in an already strained relationship, marked by a long history of conflict and brief phases of diplomacy. India and Pakistan, since their partition in 1947, have fought wars, exchanged fire across borders, and witnessed multiple terror strikes. Yet, amid hostilities, both countries have managed to sign a series of key bilateral agreements—each reflecting moments of compromise, negotiation, and cautious optimism. While many of these have come under strain, they remain critical markers in the diplomatic landscape of South Asia.
Let’s take a closer look at the major India-Pakistan accords that have shaped this fragile relationship:
1. Karachi Agreement (1949)
Signed in July 1949, the Karachi Agreement was the first formal effort to define the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir following the first Indo-Pak war (1947–48). Facilitated by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), this military-level accord laid the groundwork for monitoring ceasefire violations, setting the stage for future discussions on Kashmir.
2. Liaqat-Nehru Pact (1950)
Signed on April 8, 1950, by Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani PM Liaquat Ali Khan, this agreement aimed to protect minority communities in both countries after the trauma of Partition. It led to the formation of minority commissions and allowed those who had migrated to return and manage or dispose of their properties. It was a humanitarian step that tried to restore a semblance of normalcy in the immediate post-Partition period.
3. Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
Perhaps the most well-known of all, the Indus Waters Treaty was brokered by the World Bank and signed on September 19, 1960. Under the treaty, India received control over the Eastern Rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—while Pakistan gained rights over the Western Rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Despite wars and political crises, the treaty had endured, making India’s recent suspension of it especially significant.
4. Tashkent Declaration (1965)
In the aftermath of the 1965 war, Indian PM Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration on January 10, 1966, under Soviet mediation. It called for troop withdrawals and the restoration of peace. Tragically, Shastri passed away just hours after signing the agreement, adding a somber note to what was seen as a hard-earned diplomatic truce.
5. Simla Agreement (1972)
Signed by PM Indira Gandhi and President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto following the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Simla Agreement committed both countries to resolve disputes bilaterally and respect the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. It remains a cornerstone in India’s foreign policy stance on the Kashmir issue.
6. Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement (1988)
In a move to reduce nuclear tensions, Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto signed this treaty in December 1988, which came into force in January 1991. It bars both countries from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities and mandates an annual exchange of nuclear site lists, a practice still upheld today as a rare act of mutual trust.
7. Lahore Declaration (1999)
Signed on February 21, 1999, during Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s historic bus trip to Lahore, the Lahore Declaration marked a high point in bilateral ties. It included agreements on nuclear risk reduction and conflict resolution through peaceful dialogue, especially over Kashmir. However, hopes were quickly dashed by the Kargil conflict, which erupted just months later.
Why These Agreements Still Matter
Each of these pacts tells a story of strategic calculation and cautious optimism. While recent developments have put even the most enduring agreements—like the Indus Waters Treaty—under pressure, they represent critical attempts at building bridges in a conflict-heavy relationship.
By suspending the IWT, India has sent a powerful signal of intent, linking diplomacy directly with security concerns. Whether this leads to renewed talks or further distancing remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that bilateral agreements, however fragile, have long served as tools for managing hostility and avoiding total breakdown.
As India and Pakistan navigate yet another chapter in their tumultuous history, these agreements remain key reference points in the search for peace—even when peace seems most elusive.
INDIA TV.
