Answer: 

Introduction:

The Tashkent Agreement was signed on January 10, 1966, between India and Pakistan, following the 1965 Indo-Pak War. It aimed to restore normal diplomatic relations and promote peace in the region.

Body:

Circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement:

• The 1965 Indo-Pak War: The Tashkent Agreement was primarily triggered by the 1965 Indo-Pak War, which started with border skirmishes in the Rann of Kutch and escalated into a full-scale conflict over Jammu and Kashmir.
• International pressure: During the Cold War, the US and Soviet Union were concerned about India-Pakistan conflict escalation, fearing regional implications and potential involvement.
• Ceasefire and peace talks: The UN Security Council passed Resolution 211, calling for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The Soviet Union, led by Premier Kosygin, mediated peace talks, resulting in the Tashkent Conference.

Highlights of the Tashkent Agreement:

• Withdrawal of troops: Both India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw their respective troops to pre-war positions by February 25, 1966. This led to a de-escalation of military tensions along the borders.
• Restoration of diplomatic relations: The Tashkent Agreement provided for the restoration of normal diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries, which had been severed during the war.
• Exchange of prisoners of war: Both countries agreed to exchange prisoners of war and return the captured territories as per the pre-war status.
• No territorial gains: Despite the large-scale conflict, neither India nor Pakistan gained any significant territorial advantage from the war.
• Non-interference in internal affairs: Both countries agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and committed to non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
• Peaceful settlement of disputes: The Tashkent Agreement also called for a peaceful settlement of all outstanding disputes between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, through negotiations and diplomatic channels.

Conclusion:

The Tashkent Agreement was a crucial diplomatic effort to restore peace and stability in the region following the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Although it did not lead to a long-lasting resolution of the underlying issues between India and Pakistan, particularly the Kashmir dispute, it played a significant role in de-escalating military tensions and normalizing diplomatic relations between the two nations.