The agreement emphasizes respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of the other. It also mentions non-interference in the internal affairs of the other and hostile propaganda. It appears that a tacit agreement on the release of Pakistani prisoners of war was reached in early 1972, since Bhutto overturned the death sentence handed down by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman on 8 January 1972. The sheikh took over as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 10 January 1972. The United States declared Bangladesh sovereign on April 4, 1972. This laid the groundwork for the Shimla agreement. However, Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh on 22 February 1974 and China on 31 August 1974. Shimla Agreement: July 2, 1972Shimla: What is it? The Shimla Agreement was signed on 2 July 1972 by Indira Gandhi, then Indian Prime Minister, and by Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, after the 1971 India-Pakistan War that liberated East Pakistan and led to the creation of Bangladesh. Among them, India and Pakistan have decided to abandon the conflict of the past and focus on building lasting friendship, peace and cooperation between them. The Shimla Agreement: Key Principles The Shimla Agreement contains a series of principles agreed by both India and Pakistan, which emphasize respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, sovereign equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of the other, respect for political independence and unity of the other, and disregard for hostile propaganda. The principles of the Shimla Agreement are:- Mutual commitment to peacefully resolve all issues through direct bilateral approaches.- Build the basis of a cooperative relationship with an emphasis on contacts.- Maintain the inviolability of the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir. Shimla agreement: main features 1. India and Pakistan have decided to put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have weighed on their relations in the past and to commit to a friendly and harmonious relationship to establish lasting peace in the subcontinent.
2. Both India and Pakistan agreed that relations between the two countries were governed by the principles of the United Nations Charter. 3. The two countries have decided to settle their differences by peaceful means, bilateral means or other means which they have agreed to. 4. Both India and Pakistan agreed to respect the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir, without undermining the recognized position of both sides. They also agreed that neither unilateral attempts at change would be sought, regardless of reciprocal differences and legal interpretations. 5. In addition, both nations agreed not to resort to threat or violence in violation of this line.