[Reader-list] TASHKENT AGREEMENT

[Pawan Durani]

The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan, having met at
Tashkent and having discussed the existing relations between India and
Pakistan hereby declare their firm resolve to restore normal and peaceful
relations between their countries and to promote understanding and friendly
relations between their peoples. They consider the attainment of these
objectives of vital importance for the welfare of the 600 million people of
India and Pakistan.

(i) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan agree that
both sides will exert all efforts to create good neighborly relations
between India and Pakistan in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
They reaffirm their obligation under the Charter not to have recourse to
force and to settle their disputes through peaceful means. They considered
that the interests of peace in their region and particularly in the
Indo-Pakistan subcontinent and indeed, the interests of the peoples of India
ad Pakistan were not served by the continuance of tension between the two
countries. It was against this background that Jammu & Kashmir was
discussed, and each of the sides set forth its respective position.



*Troops Withdrawal*



(ii) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that all armed personnel of the two countries shall be withdrawn not later
than 25 February 1966 to the positions they held prior to 5 August 1965, and
both sides shall observe the cease-fire terms on the cease-fire line.

(iii) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that relations between India and Pakistan shall be based on the principle of
non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.

(iv) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that both sides will discourage any propaganda directed against the other
country and will encourage propaganda which promotes the development of
friendly relations between the two countries.

(v) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the High Commissioner of India to Pakistan and the High Commissioner of
Pakistan of India will return to their posts and that the normal functioning
of diplomatic missions of both countries will be restored. Both Governments
shall observe the Vienna Convention of 1961 on Diplomatic Intercourse.



 *Trade Relations*


(vi) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
to consider measures towards the restoration of economic and trade
relations, communications as well as cultural exchanges between India and
Pakistan, and to take measures to implement the existing agreement between
India and Pakistan.

(vii) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that they will give instructions to their respective authorities to carry
out the repatriation of the prisoners of war.

(viii) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the two sides will continue the discussions of questions relating to
the problems of refugees and eviction of illegal immigrations. They also
agreed that both sides will create conditions which will prevent the exodus
of people. They further agree to discuss the return of the property and
assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict.



 *Soviet Leaders Thanked*



(ix) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed
that the two sides will continue meetings both at highest and at other
levels of matters of direct concern to both countries. Both sides have
recognized the need to set up joint Indian-Pakistani bodies which will
report to their Governments in order to decide what further steps should be
taken.

(x) The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan record their
feelings, deep appreciation and gratitude to the leaders of the Soviet
Union, the Soviet Government and personally to the Chairman of the Council
of Ministers of the USSR for their constructive, friendly and noble part in
bringing about the present meeting which has resulted in mutually
satisfactory results. They also express to the Government and friendly
people of Uzbekistan their sincere thankfulness for their overwhelming
reception and generous hospitality.

They invite the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR to witness
this declaration.
  Prime Minister of India  *Lal Bahadur Shastri *
  President of Pakistan *Mohammed Ayub Khan*

Tashkent, January 10, 1966