Pakistan Suspends Simla Agreement, Closes Airspace Amid Rising Tensions with India
In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan on Thursday announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement of 1972, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. The country has also closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, signaling a sharp escalation in Indo-Pak tensions.
The decision came after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan, citing direct links between the April 22 terror attack and elements based across the border.
A high-level National Security Committee (NSC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded with a firm declaration: no trade, diplomatic engagement, or cooperation will resume unless India alters its stance and conduct.
“Any diversion of Indus waters will be seen as an act of war”
In a strongly worded statement, the Pakistani government warned India that any unilateral changes to the flow of Indus River waters would be considered a hostile act. “Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and security will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains,” said the NSC.
The Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 by Indian PM Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, aimed at peaceful resolution of conflicts post the 1971 war. Its suspension marks a dramatic shift in diplomatic tone and poses a major setback for bilateral conflict resolution frameworks.
Accusations and Condemnations
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar criticized India’s decisions, calling them “hasty” and unsupported by “credible evidence” linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed regret over the civilian casualties but called India’s response “immature and escalatory.”
Analysts Warn of Prolonged Freeze
Experts caution that the suspension of foundational treaties like the Simla Agreement and IWT could lead to long-term diplomatic isolation and increase the risk of military confrontations. “This risks locking both countries into a prolonged diplomatic freeze,” noted a regional affairs analyst.
As of now, both countries stand at a diplomatic crossroads, with heightened rhetoric and strained communications marking a potential new low in Indo-Pak relations post the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot standoff.
