Tashkent Declaration
January 10, 1966
TASHKENT DECLARATION SIGNED BY PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
AND PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN
Tashkent
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 neighbourly 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 Sub-Continent and, indeed, the interests of the peoples of India and Pakistan were not served by the continuance of tension between the two countries. It was against this background that Jammu and Kashmir was discussed, and each of the sides set forth its respective position.
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Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed that all armed personnel of the two countries shall be withdrawn not later than 25 February, 1966 to the positions they held prior to 5 August, 1965, and both sides shall observe the cease-fire terms on the cease-fire line.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 to 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.
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 agreements between India and Pakistan.
VII
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed that they 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 sides will continue the discussion of questions relating to the problems of refugees and evictions/illegal immigrations. They also agreed that both sides will create conditions which will prevent the exodus of people. They further agreed to discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict.
IX
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan have agreed that the sides will continue meetings both at the highest and at other levels on 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.
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan record their feelings of 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 U.S.S.R. 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 U.S.S.R. to witness this Declaration.
Sd /-
LAL BAHADUR
Prime Minister of India.
Tashkent, 10 January 1966.
Sd /-
M.A KHAN, F. M.
President of Pakistan.
Sarvarthapedia Conceptual Network: Tashkent Declaration (1966)
The Tashkent Declaration was a peace agreement signed on 10 January 1966 in Tashkent between Lal Bahadur Shastri and Ayub Khan after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Mediated by the Soviet Union, the declaration aimed to restore diplomatic and peaceful relations between the two countries.
Sarvarthapedia Core Concepts
Peace Diplomacy
Focus on restoring peaceful coexistence through negotiations, ceasefire agreements, and diplomatic engagement.
Bilateral Relations
Emphasis on direct communication between India and Pakistan without military escalation.
Non-Interference
Commitment by both states not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
Ceasefire and Military Withdrawal
Agreement to withdraw armed forces to positions held before 5 August 1965.
International Mediation
Role of the Soviet Union in facilitating negotiations during the Cold War era.
Regional Stability
Recognition that continued hostility harmed South Asian peace and development.
Linked Historical Events
Partition of India
Created India and Pakistan, laying the foundation for territorial disputes and political rivalry.
Connected To
- Kashmir Conflict
- Refugee Crisis
- Indo-Pakistani Relations
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Immediate background of the Tashkent Declaration.
Connected To
- Ceasefire Agreement
- United Nations Charter
- Military Withdrawal
- Kashmir Dispute
Simla Agreement
Follow-up diplomatic framework after the 1971 war.
Connected To
- Bilateral Negotiations
- Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
- Line of Control
Political Leaders
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Associated Concepts
- Peace Negotiations
- Indian Foreign Policy
- Indo-Pak Diplomacy
Related Events
- Tashkent Declaration
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Ayub Khan
Associated Concepts
- Pakistani Foreign Policy
- Military Leadership
- Bilateral Diplomacy
Related Events
- Tashkent Declaration
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
International Organizations and Laws
United Nations
Role
Provided the framework for peaceful conflict resolution through the UN Charter.
Connected Concepts
- Ceasefire
- Peaceful Settlement
- International Diplomacy
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Role
Referenced in the declaration for restoring diplomatic missions.
Connected Concepts
- Diplomatic Immunity
- High Commissioners
- International Law
Major Themes in the Declaration
Kashmir Issue
Both nations discussed Jammu and Kashmir while maintaining their respective positions.
Linked Concepts
- Territorial Dispute
- National Security
- Indo-Pak Tensions
Prisoners of War
Agreement on repatriation of captured personnel.
Linked Concepts
- Humanitarian Law
- Post-War Reconciliation
Refugees and Migration
Discussion on illegal immigration, refugee problems, and prevention of forced migration.
Linked Concepts
- Partition Legacy
- Population Displacement
- Human Security
Economic and Cultural Relations
Proposal to restore trade, communications, and cultural exchanges.
Linked Concepts
- Regional Cooperation
- Soft Diplomacy
- Economic Interdependence
Soviet Mediation
Soviet Union
Role in the Declaration
Hosted and mediated the talks at Tashkent during the Cold War period.
Connected Concepts
- Cold War Diplomacy
- International Mediation
- South Asian Geopolitics
Related Concepts Network
Indo-Pakistan Relations
Central theme connecting wars, diplomacy, border conflicts, and peace agreements.
Interlinked With
- Kashmir Conflict
- Nuclear Rivalry
- Cross-Border Relations
- Regional Security
Ceasefire Diplomacy
Mechanism for reducing military confrontation.
Interlinked With
- United Nations
- Military Withdrawal
- Peace Agreements
Cold War Politics
Global superpower involvement influenced South Asian diplomacy.
Interlinked With
- Soviet Union
- International Mediation
- Strategic Alliances
Legacy of the Tashkent Declaration
Immediate Impact
- Restoration of diplomatic relations
- Withdrawal of troops
- Reduction in military tensions
Long-Term Impact
- Established a precedent for future peace talks
- Highlighted limitations of temporary diplomatic settlements
- Influenced later agreements such as the Simla Agreement
Historical Significance
The Tashkent Declaration remains one of the earliest formal attempts to stabilize relations between India and Pakistan after major armed conflict, demonstrating the importance of diplomacy over war in South Asian international relations.
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