Shimla Agreement: The 1972 Pact Governing India-Pakistan Diplomacy

The Shimla Agreement, signed in 1972, serves as the foundational framework governing diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. The treaty was established following the 1971 war and committed both nations to settling their bilateral disputes through direct dialogue. Kashmir remains one of the key issues that the agreement designates for resolution through negotiation between the two countries. The pact effectively rules out third-party mediation, requiring India and Pakistan to engage with each other directly on outstanding conflicts.