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AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE [1973] INTSer 16

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN
REGARDING REPATRIATION
OF PERSONS

New Delhi, 28 August 1973

Desirous of solving the humanitarian problems resulting from the conflict of 1971 and thus enabling the vast majority of human beings referred to in the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Declaration to go to their respective countries, India and Pakistan have reached the following agreement :

(i) The immediate implementation of the solution of these humanitarian problems is without prejudice to the respective positions of the Parties concerned relating to the case of 195 prisoners of war referred to in clauses (vi) and (vii) of this paragraph;

(ii) Subject to clause (i) repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian internees will commence from the utmost despatch as soon as logistic arrangements are completed and from a date to be settled by mutual agreement;

(iii) Simultaneously, the repatriation of all Bangalees in Pakistan, and all Pakistanis in Bangladesh referred to in clause (v) below, to their respective countries will commence;

(iv) In the matter of reparticiation of all categories of persons the principle of simultaneity will be observed throughout as far as possible;

(v) Without prejudice to the respective positions of Bangladesh and Pakistan on the question of non-Bangalees, who are stated to have “opted for repatriation to Pakistan”, the Government of Pakistan guided by considerations of humanity, agrees, initially, to receive a substantial number of such non-Bangalees from Bangladesh. It is further agreed that the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Pakistan or their designated representatives will thereafter meet to decide what additional number of persons, who may wish to migrate to Pakistan, may be permitted to do so. Bangladesh has made it clear that it will participate in such a meeting only on the basis of sovereign equality;

(vi) Bangladesh agrees that no trials of the 195 prisoners of war shall take place during the entire period of repatriation and that pending the settlement envisaged in clause (vii) below these prisoners of war shall remain in India;

(vii) On completion of repartriation of Pakistan prisoners of war and civilian internees in India; Bangalees in Pakistan and Pakistanis in Bangladesh referred to in clause (v) above, or earlier, if they so agree, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan will discuss and settle the question of 195 prisoners of war. bangladesh has made it clear that it can participate in such a meeting only on the basis of sovereign equality.

The Special representatives are confident that the completion of repatriation provided for in this Agreement would make a signal contribution to the promotion of reconciliation in the sub-continent and create an atmosphere favorable to a constructive outcome of the meeting of the three countries;

(viii) The time schedule for the completion of repatriation of the Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian internees from India, the Bangalees from Pakistan and the Pakistanis referred to in clause (v) above from Bangladesh, will be worked out by India in consultation with Bangladesh and Pakistan, as the case may be. The Government of India will make the logistic arrangements for the Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian internees who are to be repatriated to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan will make logistic arrangements within its territory upto agreed points of exit for the repatriation of Bangladesh nationals to Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh will make necessary arrangements for the transport of these persons from such agreed points of exit to Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh will make logistic arrangements within its territory upto agreed points of exit for the movement of the Pakistanis referred to in clause (v) above who will go to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan will make necessary arrangements for the transport of these persons from such agreed points of exit to Pakistan. In making logistic arrangements the Governments concerned may seek the assistance of international humanitarian organisations and others;

(ix) For the purpose of facilitating the repatriation provided for in this Agreement, the representatives of the Swiss Federal Government and any international humanitarian organisation entrusted with this task shall have unrestricted access at all times to Bangalees in Pakistan and to Pakistanis in Bangladesh referred to in clause (v) above. The Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Pakistan will provide all assistance and facilities to such representatives in this regard including facilities for adequate publicity for the benefit of the persons entitled to repatriation under this Agreement;

(x) All persons to be repatriated in accordance with this Agreement will be treated with humanity and consideration.

The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan have concurred in this Agreement. The Special Representative of the Prime Minister of India, having consulted the Government of Bangladesh has also conveyed the concurrence of Bangladesh Government in this Agreement.

DONE in New Delhi on August 28, 1973 in three originals, all of which are equally authentic.

Sd/- Sd/-
P.N.HAKSAR AZIZ AHMED
Special Representative Minister of State for Defence
of the Prime Minister of India and Foreign Affairs,
Government of Pakistan


India Bilateral

Ministry of External Affairs, India


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