LAHORE
DECLARATION - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
News: Explained: All about 1999
Lahore Declaration and how Pakistan 'violated' it
What's in
the news?
●
Days after former Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif admitted that Islamabad had “violated” the Lahore
pact, India recently said an “objective view” was emerging on the issue in
Pakistan.
Lahore
Declaration:
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The Lahore Declaration was
a bilateral agreement and governance treaty between India and Pakistan.
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The treaty was signed on 21 February 1999, at the conclusion of
a historic summit in Lahore, and ratified by the parliaments of both countries
the same year.
●
The declaration was signed
by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz
Sharif.
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The accord was vital to
Indo-Pak relations at it came at a time when both countries had established
themselves as atomic powers through publicly performed nuclear tests in 1998.
Aim:
●
De-escalating
nuclear tensions and promoting peace in the
region.
Key
Points of the Lahore Declaration:
1.
Resolution of Kashmir Issue:
●
Both nations agreed to
intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and
Kashmir.
2.
Terrorism:
●
Both leaders reaffirmed
their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and
expressed their determination to combat this menace.
3.
Nuclear Weapons:
●
India and Pakistan
committed to taking immediate steps to reduce
the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons.
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The declaration emphasised
the importance of mutually agreed confidence-building measures to improve the
security environment.
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They agreed to take
immediate steps to reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear
weapons and to improve communication to avoid misunderstandings and
miscalculations.
●
The two countries also
reiterated their commitment towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
4. Focus
on Dialogue:
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It was agreed to intensify
the dialogue process for an early and positive outcome of the agreed bilateral
agenda.
5. SAARC
Goals:
●
The declaration reaffirmed
their commitment to the goals and objectives of South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
●
The aim was to promote the
welfare of the people of South Asia and improve their quality of life through
accelerated economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
6.
Protection of Human Rights:
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The declaration also
committed both nations to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
7.
Commitment to UN Charter:
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Both countries reaffirmed
their commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter
and the Shimla Agreement, and their determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit.
8.
Encourage People-to-People Ties:
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Both sides agreed to
encourage more people-to-people contact and promote friendly exchanges in
various fields, including cultural, scientific, and educational exchanges,
which can play a crucial role in building goodwill.