From Simla Agreement to Indus Waters Treaty: Bilateral agreements signed between India & Pakistan since 1947

In the wake of the April 22 massacre of civilians in Kashmir's Pahalgam, India launched a series of retaliatory diplomatic measures aimed at Pakistan.

Chief among them was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing agreement. In response, Pakistan on Thursday announced that it would treat all bilateral agreements with India, including the pivotal Simla Agreement, as being in abeyance. It also closed the Wagah border and halted all trade activity with India.

While the Simla Agreement is often seen as a diplomatic cornerstone between the two nations, it is far from the only pact that has attempted to regulate or stabilise ties with Pakistan. Since 1947, the neighbours have signed a series of treaties and protocols — some rooted in security concerns, others in humanitarian or cultural exchanges.

Here's a look at key bilateral agreements signed over the decades.

Also read: Jammu Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates

Simla Agreement (1972)
Signed after the 1971 India-Pakistan war, this accord was inked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It called for peaceful resolution of disputes, prohibited unilateral changes to the status quo, and converted the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir into the Line of Control (LoC). The agreement emphasised that issues, including Kashmir, would be addressed through bilateral dialogue.

Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
This World Bank-brokered treaty was signed by PM Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan. It granted Pakistan rights over the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — while India retained control over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. It also paved the way for infrastructure like the Mangla and Tarbela dams, and mandated the formation of a Permanent Indus Commission.

India suspended the treaty in April 2025, following the Pahalgam attack on Indian tourists.

Also read: Pahalgam attackers likely part of earlier strikes on non-Kashmiris with Pakistani handlers

Nehru-Liaquat Pact (1950)

Agreed upon in the early years of independence, this pact between PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s PM Liaquat Ali Khan pledged mutual protection of minorities in both countries. It guaranteed freedom of movement, employment rights, and the establishment of minority commissions to monitor compliance.

Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines (1974)

This protocol facilitates visits by pilgrims to religious sites across the border. It covers 15 shrines in Pakistan and five in India. Popular sites include Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib, and Shadani Darbar in Pakistan; and Ajmer Sharif and Nizamuddin Dargah in India. The protocol allows, among others, up to 3,000 Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan for certain festivals.

Agreement on Non-Attack of Nuclear Installations (1988)

Signed on December 31, 1988, this agreement mandates that both nations notify each other annually of their nuclear installations and refrain from attacking these facilities. It remains in force, with annual exchanges taking place on January 1 each year.

Agreement on Prevention of Airspace Violations (1991)

This agreement, signed in New Delhi, set ground rules to prevent accidental airspace breaches. It forbids military aircraft from flying within 10 km of the border and bars unauthorised entry into each other’s airspace, including over territorial waters.

Lahore Declaration (1999)

This declaration was signed during PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan and emphasised the importance of peace, resolution of outstanding issues, and dialogue in light of both nations’ nuclear capabilities. The two countries also agreed to notify each other of ballistic missile tests in advance.

Also read: India deepens cut as Pakistan sends out 'act of war' threat

Agreement on Pre-Notification of Ballistic Missile Tests (2005)

Building on the Lahore Declaration, this agreement requires each country to give the other at least three days’ notice before testing surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. It also specifies safety zones to prevent accidental misinterpretation or provocation.

LoC Ceasefire Agreement (2003)

In November 2003, both countries agreed to cease hostilities along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary. Although tensions have periodically flared, both sides recommitted to this ceasefire again in 2021.

Agreement on Reducing Risk from Nuclear Accidents (2007)

Coming into force in 2007, this agreement commits both sides to notify each other in case of a nuclear accident and take steps to prevent any misreading of such an incident. The pact has been extended twice since, in 2012 and 2017.