In a significant diplomatic clarification, Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Friday reaffirmed that the 1972 Simla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India remain valid and binding, distancing itself from controversial remarks made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who had publicly declared the agreement “a dead document.”

This clarification arrives at a time of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, fueled by the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and subsequent Indian military responses in May. As regional and international observers closely monitor South Asia’s fragile peace dynamics, Pakistan’s latest statement is being seen as an effort to contain diplomatic fallout and maintain treaty credibility.

What Did Khawaja Asif Say?

In a televised interview aired earlier this week, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made statements that sent shockwaves across the diplomatic community.

Referring to the revocation of Article 370 by India in 2019, Asif said:

"We are back to the 1948 position, when the United Nations declared the Line of Control a ceasefire line… Simla is already over.”

Asif further hinted at a broader reconsideration of bilateral treaties, including the Indus Waters Treaty, which has governed river water sharing between the two nuclear-armed neighbours for decades. He framed his argument on the basis that India’s alleged unilateral actions in Jammu & Kashmir had invalidated the core assumptions of such agreements.

The Simla Agreement: A Pillar of Indo-Pak Relations

The Simla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, between then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, remains one of the most foundational bilateral treaties between the two countries.

Its key tenets include:

• Peaceful resolution of disputes through bilateral dialogue.

• Non-alteration of the Line of Control except by mutual agreement.

• Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

India has consistently upheld the Simla Agreement as the only legitimate framework for dialogue and conflict resolution between the two nations.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry Responds Swiftly

In a rare move aimed at swiftly mitigating the diplomatic implications of Asif’s remarks, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement stressing that:

“There has been no formal decision to revoke the Simla Agreement or any other bilateral treaty with India. All existing agreements remain in force.”

A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that Khawaja Asif’s comments reflect his personal views, not the official policy of the Government of Pakistan.

The ministry also acknowledged that internal discussions were indeed ongoing regarding the evolution of India-Pakistan dynamics, particularly in light of India’s 2019 constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir, but emphasized that no binding decisions have been taken.

Why the Statement Matters Now

Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified over the past two months. In April 2025, a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 18 Indian paramilitary personnel. India responded in May with precision strikes targeting alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Amid this backdrop, Asif’s remarks were interpreted by many as a signal of Pakistan abandoning the bilateral dialogue path in favor of internationalizing the Kashmir dispute, which is contrary to the Simla Agreement’s bilateral dispute resolution clause.

By reaffirming the validity of the Simla Agreement, the foreign ministry appears to be walking back from any escalatory diplomatic positions.

Asif’s Nuclear Posture Remarks Raise Alarm

Further fueling concerns, Defence Minister Asif also made provocative remarks about Pakistan’s nuclear strategy, stating:

“Pakistan would consider nuclear use only in the event of a direct existential threat… but the threat of conflict remains real.”

These comments have raised eyebrows in global diplomatic circles, especially as Pakistan simultaneously holds consultations with Gulf nations and China, reportedly seeking mediation channels or de-escalation strategies.

While Asif framed his remarks as a deterrent strategy, critics argue that invoking the nuclear card in public discourse only intensifies regional instability and weakens confidence-building efforts.

The Indus Waters Treaty Also in the Spotlight

Aside from the Simla Agreement, Asif questioned the continued validity of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, which regulates the sharing of the Indus River system between the two countries.

India has historically adhered to the treaty even during wartime. Any move by Pakistan to question or abandon the IWT could have severe consequences, both environmentally and diplomatically.

However, the foreign ministry did not support Asif’s remarks on IWT either, indicating that no formal steps are being taken to challenge the treaty’s continued implementation.

India’s Response: Cautious Silence

As of now, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not officially responded to Asif’s statements or Pakistan’s clarification. However, sources within MEA indicated that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and would prefer treaty adherence over escalatory rhetoric.

India has long maintained that the Simla Agreement and the 1999 Lahore Declaration are the only valid instruments for bilateral dispute settlement, and it continues to reject any third-party mediation.

Reactions Within Pakistan

Domestically, Asif’s remarks received mixed reactions:

• Opposition leaders criticized him for irresponsible diplomacy, arguing that such statements could jeopardize Pakistan’s global standing.

• Hardliners and pro-Kashmir factions, on the other hand, praised his stance as bold and realistic, especially after what they call “India’s blatant violations” in Kashmir.

Nonetheless, the foreign ministry’s swift distancing from the statement underscores the government’s intent to avoid international blowback and maintain diplomatic channels.

Looking Forward: A Fragile Peace

As South Asia heads into a potentially volatile summer, both India and Pakistan are under pressure to prevent further escalation.

• The Simla Agreement, though often criticized as ineffective, remains the only formalized bilateral mechanism between the two countries for managing disputes.

• Any move to revoke or undermine it would mark a significant diplomatic rupture, one that neither side appears ready to fully embrace — at least officially.

The clarification from Pakistan’s foreign ministry is being viewed as a temporary stabilizer, but the underlying tensions — especially over Kashmir, terrorism, and water-sharing — remain unresolved.

Conclusion: Between Rhetoric and Reality

Khawaja Asif’s comments declaring the Simla Agreement "dead" may have reflected a growing frustration within segments of Pakistan’s establishment, particularly over India’s Kashmir policy and military assertiveness. However, the foreign ministry’s rebuttal signals a more cautious, status quo-driven approach, favoring treaty continuity over conflict escalation.

For now, the Simla Agreement remains alive, but its future may depend on how both nations manage provocations, engage in back-channel diplomacy, and prioritize dialogue over confrontation.

In the high-stakes arena of India-Pakistan relations, rhetoric may grab headlines, but diplomatic clarity — even when reluctant — is the true pillar of peace.

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