Daily Current Affairs - 25th April 2025
Simla Agreement (1972)
Context
- Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan on April 23, 2025.
- India also announced a series of retaliatory measures:
- Suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
- Closure of the Attari-Wagah integrated check post
- In response, Pakistan on April 24, 2025, suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement, a key pact that affirms the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- This political standoff brings renewed attention to the relevance and fragility of bilateral agreements like Simla.
Background:
- Signed on:July 2, 1972
- Location:Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Signatories:
- India:Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
- Pakistan:President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
- Post the Indo-Pak War of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh and the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers.
What did the Simla Agreement say?
The Simla Agreement was a bilateral peace treaty aimed at:
- Establishing durable peace and normalization of relations post-war.
- Committing both countries to peaceful resolution of disputes.
- Respecting each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Laying the foundation for future diplomatic dialogue.
Key Provisions of the Simla Agreement:
- Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Both nations agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial boundaries.
- Peaceful Settlement of Disputes: All issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, shall be resolved through bilateral negotiations, without third-party intervention.
- No Unilateral Alteration of LOC: The Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir was to be respected by both sides and not altered unilaterally, regardless of mutual differences.
- Non-Use of Force: Both countries committed to resolving conflicts without the use or threat of force.
- Return of POWs: India agreed to release over 90,000 Pakistani Prisoners of War (POWs) captured during the 1971 war.
- Troop Withdrawal: Armed forces were to return to pre-war positions to maintain peace.
- Bilateralism Principle: Emphasis on resolving all issues bilaterally; rejecting third-party involvement including from the UN.
Significance:
- Marked a diplomatic shift toward bilateralism in Indo-Pak relations.
- Became the cornerstone of India’s Kashmir policy, reinforcing that it’s a bilateral matter.
However, did not prevent further conflict (e.g. Kargil War 1999, terrorist attacks).
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is the apex decision-making body in the Government of India on matters of national security, defence policy, and strategic foreign affairs.
It is responsible for formulating and reviewing policies related to India’s internal and external security, defence preparedness, and high-level appointments in national security institutions.
Who Heads the CCS?
The Prime Minister of India chairs the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Members of CCS:
- Prime Minister (Chairperson)
- Minister of Defence
- Minister of Home Affairs
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of External Affairs
Key Functions of CCS:
- Formulates and approves defence policy and expenditure.
- Makes decisions regarding the law and order and national security framework.
- Reviews and monitors internal and external threats to the country.
- Discusses political and diplomatic developments with implications for national security.
- Finalizes high-level appointments in key national security institutions.
- Clears major defence acquisitions and infrastructure projects.
- Handles agreements or treaties with foreign nations having security relevance.
What Are Cabinet Committees?
- Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional bodies — not mentioned in the Constitution of India.
- They are established under the Transaction of Business Rules, 1961 to streamline governance.
- Their role is to reduce the workload of the Cabinet by focusing on specific areas.
- These committees are constituted or reconstituted by the Prime Minister as needed.
List of Cabinet Committees (As of Now – 8 Total):
- Cabinet Committee on Security
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth
- Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
- Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
Pakistan shuts airspace, snaps trade relations with India
What is Airspace?
Airspace refers to the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including territorial waters. It is a sovereign asset, meaning a country has complete control over the airspace above its land and maritime boundaries.
Types of Airspace
- Sovereign Airspace:
- Extends up to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline.
- Includes the airspace above the land territory and territorial waters.
- Countries have the exclusive right to regulate and control this airspace.
- International Airspace:
- Beyond the 12 nautical miles.
- No state has sovereignty here; governed by international laws, especially those set by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
- Restricted Airspace:
- Airspace reserved for specific activities (e.g., military drills).
- Entry is restricted unless authorized.
- Prohibited Airspace:
- Complete entry ban for all aircraft, often due to security or national interest.
Airspace Management and ICAO
- The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, oversees the regulation and coordination of civil aviation globally.
- It ensures safe, orderly, and efficient international air travel.
- Each country designates an authority (like DGCA in India) to manage its civil aviation and ensure compliance with ICAO norms.
Airspace Closure – Political & Strategic Tool
- When a country closes its airspace, it denies entry to foreign aircraft, which can be:
- Partial: To specific countries (as in the India-Pakistan case).
- Complete: To all foreign aircraft.
Reasons for Closure:
- National Security Threats
- Diplomatic Disputes or Retaliation
- Military Operations
- Internal Conflicts or Civil Unrest
Impacts:
- Disruption of international flights (increased fuel costs and travel time).
- Economic implications for airlines and trade.
- Diplomatic signalling of tension or hostility.
India-Pakistan Context
- Following the Pulwama terror attack and India’s subsequent response (Balakot strikes), Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft.
- Similarly, the current situation involving the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory fears prompted a renewed airspace closure and trade suspension.
- Such closures indicate escalating geopolitical tensions and signal a possible anticipation of military response.