In what can be best described as a diplomatic misfire, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif triggered a fresh round of scrutiny by declaring the Simla Agreement “dead.” Within hours, however, Pakistan’s Foreign Office scrambled to correct course, stating firmly that the agreement—signed between India and Pakistan in 1972—remains a cornerstone of bilateral ties. This embarrassing reversal does more than just highlight the lack of coordination within Pakistan’s power corridors—it also reopens critical questions about how seriously Islamabad treats its treaty obligations.
The Simla Agreement, signed in the aftermath of the 1971 war, is not just a ceremonial relic. It formalized mutual commitments to resolve disputes bilaterally and refrain from the use of force. While both nations have strayed from its ideals at times, it continues to be invoked by India as a foundational document barring third-party mediation in Kashmir. Any departure from it—even rhetorical—has serious geopolitical implications.
Khawaja Asif’s remarks are particularly striking given their timing. With tensions between India and Pakistan already brittle and international attention drawn to South Asia’s stability, such statements risk undoing decades of cautious, if inconsistent, diplomatic progress. If the Defence Minister’s comment was an off-the-cuff political outburst, it reveals a startling lack of discipline. If it was intentional, it suggests deeper fractures within Pakistan’s civilian-military foreign policy alignment.
What followed—the swift rebuttal by the Foreign Office—was a tacit admission that the Defence Minister’s stance was not reflective of national policy. By reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to all bilateral agreements, including Simla, the FO attempted to limit the fallout. Yet the damage was done. India, for its part, would understandably be skeptical of any future commitment made in Islamabad if senior ministers can disown solemn accords so casually.
This isn’t the first time such confusion has played out on the international stage. Earlier, former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto had adopted a markedly different tone from Pakistan’s military when it came to India policy. The resulting ambiguity weakens Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility and lends credence to India’s consistent argument that Islamabad lacks a coherent policy framework.
At a time when both countries need mature engagement to address issues like trade normalization, water-sharing, and counterterrorism, such rhetorical flip-flops are a distraction. Worse, they signal that internal turf wars in Pakistan can override national interest and regional stability.
If Pakistan truly seeks peace and parity in the region, it must decide—unequivocally and institutionally—whether it stands by its international agreements or whether it treats them as tools of convenience. Until then, the Simla Agreement will remain alive in letter, but its spirit will continue to be tested.
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