July 2 in history: First commercial steam engine, Shimla agreement and more

Blueprint to  peace: 47 years of India-Pakistan Simla Agreement

China claims ownership of Tibet due to historical mistakes that India was very much a part of. After the independence of Tibet, Dalai Lama's government was facing two big problems lack of stability and recognition. So Tibet reached out to Britain. The Shimla agreement established the Mc-Mahon line. It also divided Tibet into inner and outer regions.

During 1913-14, an understanding known as the Shimla Accord was marked between the delegates of British India, Tibet and China. The Accord separated Tibet into Inner and Outer Tibet. The terms gave China sway over Inner Tibet yet suzerainty over Outer Tibet which would keep on being administered by the Tibetan government at Lhasa.

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According to the Anglo-Tibetan Declaration "The governments of Great Britain and China recognizing that Tibet is under the suzerainty of China, and recognizing also the autonomy of outer Tibet, engage to respect the territorial integrity of the country, and to abstain from interference in the administration of outer Tibet (including the selection and installation of the Dalai Lama), which shall remain in the hands of the Tibetan government at Lhasa. The Government of China engages not to convert Tibet into a Chinese province. The Government of Great Britain engages not to annex Tibet or any portion of it,".

China did not sign this accord, in 1949, Beijing invaded Tibet and India called the move 'deplorable' and 
'not in the interest of China or peace’.

New Delhi followed it up with a big blunder, in 1954, the govt of Jawaharlal Nehru signed the Panchsheel treaty in Beijing.

‘Agreement between the Republic of India and the people’s republic of china on trade and intercourse between India and the Tibet region of China’. India recognized china's claim over Tibet.

The point was hammered in —- in the year 2003. India's former Prime Minister — late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was visiting China. He signed a joint declaration along with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.

''The Indian side recognizes that the Tibet autonomous region is part of the territory of the people's republic of china and reiterates that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-china political activities in India. The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position and reiterates that it is firmly opposed to any attempt and action aimed at splitting China and bringing about "Independence of Tibet”.

While the two leaders agreed on the fate of a third nation. They could not reach common ground on the issue of the common border.

The two sides exchanged views on the India-China boundary question and expounded their respective positions. They reiterated their readiness to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution through consultations on an equal footing. 17 years on, there is no equal footing. Tibet, meanwhile, is facing the blows of historical wrongdoings.

China violated the Mc-Mahon line and India-China border region has become a hotbed of conflict.

The LAC is still neither defined, nor demarcated. Beijing continues to make use of every opportunity to grab land. 
 
The Galwan skirmish is one such example. In Tibet, 1.2 million people have died since the Chinese occupation. If there is one lesson we can draw from the situation. When it comes to conflicts — the past is never dead.

China claims ownership of Tibet due to historical mistakes that India was very much a part of. After the independence of Tibet, Dalai Lama's government was facing two big problems lack of stability and recognition.

China claims ownership of Tibet due to historical mistakes that India was very much a part of. After the independence of Tibet, Dalai Lama's government was facing two big problems lack of stability and recognition. So Tibet reached out to Britain. The Shimla agreement established the Mc-Mahon line. It also divided Tibet into inner and outer regions. During 1913-14, an understanding known as the Shimla Accord was marked between the delegates of British India, Tibet and China. The Accord separated Tibet into Inner and Outer Tibet. The terms gave China sway over Inner Tibet yet suzerainty over Outer Tibet which would keep on being administered by the Tibetan government at Lhasa. According to the Anglo-Tibetan Declaration "The governments of Great Britain and China recognizing that Tibet is under the suzerainty of China, and recognizing also the autonomy of outer Tibet, engage to respect the territorial integrity of the country, and to abstain from interference in the administration of outer Tibet (including the selection and installation of the Dalai Lama), which shall remain in the hands of the Tibetan government at Lhasa. The Government of China engages not to convert Tibet into a Chinese province. The Government of Great Britain engages not to annex Tibet or any portion of it,". China did not sign this accord, in 1949, Beijing invaded Tibet and India called the move 'deplorable' and 'not in the interest of China or peace’. New Delhi followed it up with a big blunder, in 1954, the govt of Jawaharlal Nehru signed the Panchsheel treaty in Beijing. ‘Agreement between the Republic of India and the people’s republic of china on trade and intercourse between India and the Tibet region of China’. India recognized china's claim over Tibet. The point was hammered in —- in the year 2003. India's former Prime Minister — late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was visiting China. He signed a joint declaration along with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. ''The Indian side recognizes that the Tibet autonomous region is part of the territory of the people's republic of china and reiterates that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-china political activities in India. The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position and reiterates that it is firmly opposed to any attempt and action aimed at splitting China and bringing about "Independence of Tibet”. While the two leaders agreed on the fate of a third nation. They could not reach common ground on the issue of the common border. The two sides exchanged views on the India-China boundary question and expounded their respective positions. They reiterated their readiness to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution through consultations on an equal footing. 17 years on, there is no equal footing. Tibet, meanwhile, is facing the blows of historical wrongdoings. China violated the Mc-Mahon line and India-China border region has become a hotbed of conflict. The LAC is still neither defined, nor demarcated. Beijing continues to make use of every opportunity to grab land. The Galwan skirmish is one such example. In Tibet, 1.2 million people have died since the Chinese occupation. If there is one lesson we can draw from the situation. When it comes to conflicts — the past is never dead.

Tibet: The need to rectify the ‘Himalayan Blunder’

The United Nations has rejected Pakistan's request for intervention in the Kashmir issue after India abrogated the special status for Jammu & Kashmir. UN chief Antonio Guterres urged India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” and refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir, as he highlighted the Shimla Agreement which rejects any third-party mediation on the issue.

Antonio Guterres urges India, Pakistan to exercise ‘Maximum Restraint’ on Kashmir Issue

UN Chief urges India, Pakistan for ‘Maximum Restraint’ on Kashmir Issue, refers to Shimla Agreement

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/several-positive-points-in-centres-move-on-jammu-and-kashmir-says-veteran-congress-leader-karan-singh-241503">Pakistan's letter to the world</a> body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York.

UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/overall-situation-in-jammu-and-kashmir-under-control-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat-241555">Pakistan's permanent representative </a>to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body.

UNSC to even comment on Pak&nbsp;comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC.

Watch Video:

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Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution.

Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern.

"The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps.

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair".

The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York. UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body. UNSC to even comment on Pak comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC. Watch Video: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution. Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern. "The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement. "The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps. Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair". The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

Jammu and Kashmir bilateral issue between India & Pak, part of Shimla Agreement: UN

Pakistan is facing global isolation as it attempts to internationalise India's decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with United Nations recalling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/restrictions-to-be-eased-in-kashmir-police-chief-241675">Shimla agreement and Washington </a>saying it hasn't changed any policy on Kashmir.

Appealing for "maximum restraint", the United Nation in a statement recalled the "1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations."

Interestingly, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jammu-and-kashmir-bilateral-issue-between-india-pak-part-of-shimla-agreement-un-241629">UN did not offer its office</a> for mediation between India and Pakistan that can be seen as a departure from the past.

The UN Security Council president Joanna Wronecka said, no comments in response to question by a reporter on Islamabad trying to raise the issue at the top body of the United Nation.&nbsp;

Watch Video:

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Pakistan's present ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi has briefed both the UN Secretay-General António Guterres and UNSC president on Indian decision on Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the US has also reacted again developments from New Delhi on Jammu and Kashmir and distanced itself from it saying there been no change in US policy on Kashmir.

The US state department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, said, "That’s certainly an incredibly important issue and something that we follow closely, but we have a host of issues that we work with India on quite closely and that we work with Pakistan on quite closely."

So far, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have reacted to the Indian decision on Kashmir. While Maldives, UAE, Sri Lanka and Thailand have called it an internal matter of India, Saudi and Malaysia have said that India and Pakistan should peacefully settle the issues.

While Malaysia said, "as a close partner to both India and Pakistan, Malaysia places high hopes that the two neighbours will exercise utmost restraint", Saudi Arabia called "on the parties concerned to maintain peace and stability in the region and to take into account the interests of the people of the region."

The Maldives, a member of the organisation of Islamic cooperation (OIC) went ahead to say that "we believe that it is the right of every sovereign nation to amend their laws as required."

Both Maldives and UAE, who are members of OIC have backed India and said action by New Delhi is its internal matter. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan is facing global isolation as it attempts to internationalise India's decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with United Nations recalling the Shimla agreement and Washington saying it hasn't changed any policy on Kashmir.

Pakistan is facing global isolation as it attempts to internationalise India's decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with United Nations recalling the Shimla agreement and Washington saying it hasn't changed any policy on Kashmir. Appealing for "maximum restraint", the United Nation in a statement recalled the "1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations." Interestingly, the UN did not offer its office for mediation between India and Pakistan that can be seen as a departure from the past. The UN Security Council president Joanna Wronecka said, no comments in response to question by a reporter on Islamabad trying to raise the issue at the top body of the United Nation. Watch Video: Pakistan's present ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi has briefed both the UN Secretay-General António Guterres and UNSC president on Indian decision on Kashmir. Meanwhile, the US has also reacted again developments from New Delhi on Jammu and Kashmir and distanced itself from it saying there been no change in US policy on Kashmir. The US state department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, said, "That’s certainly an incredibly important issue and something that we follow closely, but we have a host of issues that we work with India on quite closely and that we work with Pakistan on quite closely." So far, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have reacted to the Indian decision on Kashmir. While Maldives, UAE, Sri Lanka and Thailand have called it an internal matter of India, Saudi and Malaysia have said that India and Pakistan should peacefully settle the issues. While Malaysia said, "as a close partner to both India and Pakistan, Malaysia places high hopes that the two neighbours will exercise utmost restraint", Saudi Arabia called "on the parties concerned to maintain peace and stability in the region and to take into account the interests of the people of the region." The Maldives, a member of the organisation of Islamic cooperation (OIC) went ahead to say that "we believe that it is the right of every sovereign nation to amend their laws as required." Both Maldives and UAE, who are members of OIC have backed India and said action by New Delhi is its internal matter.

Pakistan gets no traction for stand on J&K in international community

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/harassment-of-indian-diplomats-returns-in-islamabad-185684">Imran Khan telephoned</a> UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. 
 
When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). 
 
Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. 
 
In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations.&nbsp; External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. 
 
The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. 
 
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan PM Imran Khan raised Kashmir issue with UN chief, says UN spokesman