The Tashkent Agreement of 1966 was a historic peace agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on January 10, 1966. The agreement put an end to the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, which had lasted for 17 days and caused immense destruction and loss of life on both sides.
The Tashkent Agreement was proposed by the Soviet Union, which had acted as a mediator between India and Pakistan during the war. The Soviet Union was concerned about the escalation of the conflict between two of its allies and wished to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.
The Soviet Union`s proposal for a peace agreement was accepted by both India and Pakistan, and negotiations began in Tashkent in December 1965. The talks were led by Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin serving as the mediator.
The negotiations were tough and intense, with both sides making concessions and compromises to reach a final agreement. The agreement was signed on January 10, 1966, and was hailed as a significant milestone in the history of India-Pakistan relations.
Tragically, Indian Prime Minister Shastri passed away the same night after signing the agreement, under mysterious circumstances. Despite this, the Tashkent Agreement remained in force, and both India and Pakistan continued to adhere to its provisions.
The Tashkent Agreement provided for the withdrawal of troops to their pre-war positions, the release of prisoners of war, and the resumption of diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. It also established a Joint Indo-Pakistani Committee to resolve disputes and tensions between the two countries peacefully.
In conclusion, the Tashkent Agreement of 1966 was a crucial event in the history of India-Pakistan relations, as it helped to bring an end to a destructive war and paved the way for peaceful negotiations and diplomacy. The Soviet Union`s initiative in proposing the agreement and its role as a mediator were instrumental in achieving this outcome. The legacy of the agreement continues to be felt to this day, as India and Pakistan continue to strive for a peaceful resolution of their differences.