New Delhi, 9 April 1974The Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, and the Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan,
examined the question of the nationals of either country detained in the other prior to the conflict of 1971. They agreed that this
was a humanitarian question which should be settled quickly with a view to alleviating the suffering of the hundreds of individuals
involved and their families.
2. With this objective in view, the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan
HAVE AGREED as follows:
(i) All nationals of either country detained in the other prior to the conflict of 1971 shall be released and repatriated, irrespective
of the charges on which they are detained, with the maximum possible despatch but in no case later than l4th August, 1974. After
that date, neither country shall continue to detain any national of the other who was arrested prior to the conflict of 1971.
(ii) The process of release and repatriation shall commence without waiting for the compilation of complete lists of such detainees.
The detainees so far visited by the representatives of the Swiss Missions, shall be repatriated forthwith. The remaining detainees
shall similarly be released and repatriated after they are located by the representatives of the Swiss Mission in either country:
(iii) The two Governments shall give extensive publicity to this Agreement in the Press and over the Radio and bring it to the attention
of the Governments of their States/Provinces and of the authorities in charge of all jails, prisons and detention centres for immediate
compliance.
(iv) Each Government shall provide all necessary facilities to the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to trace
those of the pre-war detainees who are still reported to be missing after l4th August, 1974.
(v) If a detainee claims to be the national of the country in which he is detained, his case shall be investigated and decided by
mutual agreement between the two governments.
(vi) Pending their release and repatriation all detainees shall be treated with humanity and consideration.
3. This Agreement shall enter into force on signature.
SIGNED in duplicate at New Delhi on 9th April, 1974.
For the Government of India
Sd /-
SWARAN SINGH
Minister of External Affairs,
Government of India
For the Government of Pakistan
Sd /-
AZIZ AHMED
Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs,
Government of Pakistan
