India-Pak Bilateral Pacts Under Lens as Pahalgam Attack Puts Strain on Ties

Pakistan's threat of suspending a raft of bilateral treaties with India, including the Simla Agreement of 1972, has raised questions about the possible fallout in areas ranging from the Line of Control (LoC) to military confidence-building measures (CBMs).

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

The possibility of holding bilateral agreements with India in abeyance was raised in a statement issued by the Pakistan government on Thursday to outline its response to punitive measures imposed by India a day earlier because of cross-border linkages to the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the foreign minister, described the measures announced by India, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, as "unilateral" and "unacceptable", and said: "If there is any type of disruption Pakistan will take action. We can consider holding in abeyance [the] Simla [Agreement] and other bilateral treaties."

Sharat Sabharwal, who was India's envoy to Islamabad during 2009-2013, said Pakistan's move could impact a wide range of bilateral treaties and understandings, ranging from a 1988 agreement prohibiting attacks on nuclear installations to a hotline between the Directors General of Military Operations, and a 1999 agreement on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests.

While the Simla Agreement—which states the two countries will settle all differences, including on Kashmir, through bilateral negotiations—is one of the most important of these treaties, Sabharwal pointed out that Pakistan had not abided by it in the past. "When have they adhered to it? They have always run to the US and the UN seeking mediation," he said.

However, Sabharwal said the treaties and understandings, especially military and security confidence-building measures (CBMs), have served a purpose and helped both countries. "Since India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan had to respond. We have to see how things pan out but I don't see how Pakistan will go ahead with this," he said.

Here's a look at some of the key bilateral agreements that are under the scanner following Pakistan's statement:

Simla Agreement