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New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean: Protect Gaza civilians, uphold international law, resume aid access
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has called on all parties to protect civilians and adhere to international law and United Nations (UN) resolutions, following the ongoing war in Gaza. In a joint statement issued after the 46th Asean Summit, the bloc expressed grave concern over the continued conflict in Gaza and the Middle East, as well as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The bloc also condemned all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in a large number of casualties, particularly among innocent women and children. "As such, we call on all parties to protect civilians and uphold international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as the Provisional Measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2024," the statement read. Asean also commended the efforts of its member states in delivering humanitarian assistance and urged all members and external partners to continue facilitating such aid. "We also affirmed our support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as outlined in the UN Resolutions and emphasised the need for full resumption of unimpeded, rapid, safe and sustained humanitarian access, including through expanded capacity at border crossings and by sea. "Asean urged all concerned parties to pursue meaningful dialogue toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution based on the two-state solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions." Earlier today, Asean pledged to heed calls from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations by supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and defending their just cause.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India deepens cut as Pakistan sends out 'act of war' threat
Pakistan on Thursday said it may suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the 1972 Simla Agreement , and warned that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water sanctioned under the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered an "act of war." India responded later on Thursday, saying it stood by its decision and that Pakistan had breached the conditions of the treaty. It also closed its airspace to Indian-owned or operated flights, expelled a number of Indian diplomats and suspended all visas issued to Indian nationals as part of tit-for-tat measures a day after the Narendra Modi government announced a raft of diplomatic steps against Pakistan, accusing it of involvement in the terrorist attack near Pahalgam that killed at least 26 civilians. New Delhi simultaneously announced suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. A statement issued by Pakistan Prime Minister's Office, which also cited the Waqf Act, dismissed New Delhi's allegations. Live Events It said, "Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement, in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan, transnational killings, and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir." The statement was issued after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee following his return from Turkiye. New Delhi briefed envoys of P5 states and other key partners, including from G20, on Pakistan's role in the terrorist attack. Some envoys told ET on condition of anonymity that they appreciated the briefing that was "extremely useful" to understand the severity of the situation. India is grateful for the support it received following the terror strike, said officials. Meanwhile, the external affairs ministry announced that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, while medical visas will be valid till April 29. A day earlier, the ministry had revoked all SAARC visas. "Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest," the ministry said. Officials said Pakistani nationals visiting India are often found guilty of overstaying their visas and indulging in activities that are beyond the scope of normal tourists and visitors. Bilateral Break Under the Simla Agreement, signed by the then prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, India and Pakistan pledged to resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, bilaterally and without third-party intervention. However, Pakistan has often sought to internationalise the Kashmir issue, experts said. Similarly, they said, the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir, as it stood on December 17, 1971, was redesignated as the Line of Control (LoC) under the pact, but Pakistan Army has often transgressed. People familiar with the matter said that now Pakistan may exercise the right to put nuclear confidence-building measures on hold. On Thursday, Islamabad also announced that all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, is suspended forthwith. India-Pakistan trade is already minuscule, though, having been suspended by the erstwhile Imran Khan government in Islamabad in 2019, and the decision will not have any major impact, according to people in the know. The neighbouring nation rejected India's announcement on holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and indicated response with full force across the complete spectrum of national power. Experts said India's decision does not mean an immediate halt to water flowing from India to Pakistan. Under the current treaty, India is restricted from building reservoir dams on the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. Suspending the treaty technically lifts those restrictions, allowing India to construct reservoir dams. The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the use of six rivers in the Indus Basin - eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej allocated to India and western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab allocated to Pakistan. India is allowed to use the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes such as irrigation, storage and electricity generation. Pakistan also decided to close down the Wagah Border Post with immediate effect. All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception, it said. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route no later than April 30, that government said. Pakistan suspended all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deemed them cancelled with immediate effect, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims. Indian nationals, except Sikh pilgrims, currently in Pakistan under the SVES are instructed to exit within 48 hours, it said. Mirroring India's move, Islamabad declared the Indian defence, naval and air advisors in Islamabad persona non grata and directed them to leave by the end of this month. The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, from 55, with effect from April 30.
India Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Simla Agreement: All about the 1972 pact that shaped India-Pakistan relations
On July 2, 1972, in the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, India and Pakistan signed the Simla Agreement in Shimla, India. This treaty aimed to lay the foundation for peaceful bilateral relations and address outstanding issues, notably the Kashmir dispute. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over this historic Thursday, April 24, Pakistan announced the suspension of the Simla Agreement, citing India's "manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings, and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir."advertisementThis move followed India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Pakistan's response included blocking its airspace for Indian airlines, closing the Wagah border crossing, and halting all trade with 1971 WAR AND THE NEED FOR PEACEThe Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a significant conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh. India's decisive victory resulted in the capture of over 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war and the occupation of strategic territories in the war's aftermath, both nations recognised the need for a framework to prevent future conflicts and address mutual Simla Agreement was signed between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was formalised on July 2, 1972, in Shimla following the 1971 war. advertisement KEY PROVISIONS OF THE SIMLA AGREEMENTThe Simla Agreement outlined several critical points to guide India-Pakistan relations:Peaceful resolution: Both countries agreed to resolve disputes through bilateral negotiations without involving third of Control (LoC): The ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir was redefined as the Line of Control, with both sides committing not to alter it of prisoners: India agreed to release Pakistani prisoners of war, and Pakistan committed to normalising relations and recognising the sovereignty of provisions aimed to establish a foundation for lasting peace and mutual respect between the two AND LEGACYThe Simla Agreement has had a lasting impact on India-Pakistan relations:Bilateral framework: It established a precedent for resolving issues bilaterally, limiting external in Kashmir: The LoC became a de facto border, reducing large-scale conflicts in the engagements: The agreement paved the way for future dialogues and confidence-building measures between the two the agreement has faced challenges, with both nations accusing each other of violations and failing to uphold RELEVANCE AND FUTURE PROSPECTSThe recent suspension of the Simla Agreement by Pakistan underscores the fragile nature of India-Pakistan the agreement aimed to foster peace, evolving geopolitical dynamics and mutual distrust have strained its forward, both nations face the challenge of rebuilding trust and exploring new avenues for the principles of the Simla Agreement, with adaptations to contemporary realities, could serve as a starting point for renewed engagement and regional stability.
