With India agreeing to resume talks with Pakistan 14 months after they were stalled in response to the Mumbai terror attacks, Pakistani diplomats say the best way to solve the thorniest issue - the Kashmir dispute - is the reactivation of the Simla agreement.
They say that under the Simla Agreement on bilateral relations between Pakistan and India, the two countries have agreed to put an end to the conflict and confrontation that had marred their relations and promote friendly and harmonious relationship with the intention of achieving durable peace in the sub-continent.
The Simla agreement, among others, says:
(i) That the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the relations between the two countries;
(ii) That the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation and both shall prevent the organization, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations;
(iii) That the pre-requisite for reconciliation, good neighborliness and durable peace between them is a commitment by both the countries to peaceful co-existence, respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
(iv) That the basic issues and causes of conflict which have bedeviled the relations between the two countries for the last 25 years shall be resolved by peaceful means;
(v) That they shall always respect each other's national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality;
(vi) That in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations they will refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of each other.
However, Pakistan says the Simla agreement placed an obligation on both Pakistan and India to hold negotiations for "a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir". It said Pakistan had on several occasions expressed its readiness to have a dialogue on this issue. "However, for the past 18 years India has refused to enter into any negotiations taking the plea that the Kashmir issue was already settled." |
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