The Simla Agreement is a watershed moment in the diplomatic history of India and Pakistan. It was signed on July 2, 1972, by the then-Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, and the then-President of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The Simla Agreement was signed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. The agreement aimed to establish peace between the two nations by outlining the principles that would guide their future relations. It also established the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan, which remains a contentious issue to this day.
But who represented India in the Simla Agreement? The Indian delegation was led by Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister at the time. Apart from her, the delegation included the then-Foreign Secretary, Sardar Swaran Singh, and the then-Defence Minister, Jagjivan Ram.
On the other hand, the Pakistani delegation was led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was the President of Pakistan at the time. Apart from him, the Pakistani delegation included the then-Foreign Secretary, Aziz Ahmed, and the then-Defence Minister, Mian Mumtaz Daultana.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto`s presence in the delegation was particularly significant given the role he had played in the events leading up to the Simla Agreement. Bhutto was a charismatic and popular leader who had risen to prominence in Pakistan in the 1960s. He had served as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan before becoming its President in 1971.
Bhutto`s role in the Simla Agreement was to negotiate the terms of the agreement with the Indian delegation. His experience and expertise in international relations made him an ideal representative for Pakistan in the negotiations.
In conclusion, the Simla Agreement was a critical moment in the diplomatic history of India and Pakistan. It was signed by the reigning leaders of both nations at the time, Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Their presence in the delegations that negotiated the terms of the agreement was significant and helped shape the course of future relations between India and Pakistan.