Simla Agreement ‘Dead’: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Declares Kashmir Will Be Handled Internationally

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has declared the 1972 Simla Agreement “a dead document,” signaling a significant shift in Islamabad’s stance on the Kashmir dispute. In a blunt televised address, Asif said Pakistan is reverting to its original 1948 position, wherein the Line of Control (LoC) is viewed as a ceasefire line, not a recognized international boundary. "The Simla Agreement is now a dead document. We are back to the 1948 position, when the United Nations declared the LoC a ceasefire line following the ceasefire and resolutions,” Asif stated. “Going forward, these disputes will be dealt with multilaterally or internationally.” His remarks come at a time of renewed tension between India and Pakistan, and mark a potential departure from decades of diplomatic engagement based on bilateralism.

Bilateral Framework 'Disintegrated'

Asif further asserted that the bilateral framework between India and Pakistan had effectively collapsed. He even questioned the status of other long-standing accords. “Whether the Indus Waters Treaty is suspended or not, Simla is already over,” he said. This is not the first time Pakistan has stepped away from the Simla framework. In August 2019, following India's revocation of Article 370—stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status—Islamabad announced it would no longer abide by the agreement. Since then, Pakistan has sought to internationalize the Kashmir issue, despite India maintaining that it is a strictly internal matter. The Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 after the Indo-Pak war of 1971, commits both nations to resolving disputes through peaceful, bilateral means—a principle that India continues to uphold.

Nuclear Warning and Diplomatic Outreach

In a more alarming note, Asif also addressed Pakistan’s nuclear policy. The country, he said, is on high alert and would only consider using nuclear weapons in the event of a “direct threat to our existence.” He added that Pakistan had consulted key regional allies, including countries in the Gulf and China, and had briefed both the United Kingdom and the United States. “Some of our friends in the Arabian Gulf have talked to both sides,” Asif noted, without naming specific nations. China, according to him, has called for restraint, while the U.S. has so far opted to “stay away” from direct involvement.

Viral Interview Sparks Controversy

The controversy deepened with a recent viral interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim. In a startling admission, Asif acknowledged Pakistan’s past involvement in supporting terror groups. “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that,” he said. Asif framed this support as part of Cold War-era geopolitics and Pakistan’s post-9/11 alignment with the West. “If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable,” he asserted. His remarks reignited longstanding accusations that Pakistan served as a hub for global jihadist networks, often at the expense of regional peace and stability.

Outlook

Asif’s declarations could have far-reaching consequences for South Asian geopolitics. If Islamabad formally shifts away from the Simla framework, it may lead to heightened diplomatic friction and greater international involvement in the Kashmir issue—something New Delhi has consistently opposed. While Pakistan seeks to elevate the issue on global platforms, India remains firm that dialogue, if any, must be bilateral—per the Simla Agreement’s terms. With the agreement now declared "over" by one side, the future of regional diplomacy appears increasingly uncertain.