Key Treaties & Agreements in India’s Foreign Policy (1947–Present)

Instrument of Accession (1947)

• Kashmir’s ruler signed it after Pakistan-backed tribal invasion.
• Allowed India to send troops to Kashmir.

India-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship (1949)

• Framework for peace, security, trade, and cultural exchange.
• Renewed in 2007.

Nehru-Liaqat Pact (1950)

• India-Pakistan agreement to protect minorities.
• Allowed refugees to return and settle property.

India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950)

• Reciprocal rights on residence, trade, movement.
• Nepal allowed to buy weapons from India.

Nehru-Kotelawala Pact (1954)

• Resolved status of Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka.
• Facilitated voluntary repatriation.

First India-USSR Trade Agreement (1953)

• Diversified India’s economic relations beyond West.
• Led to establishment of Bhilai Steel Plant.

Panchsheel Agreement with China (1954)

• Five principles of peaceful coexistence.
• Basis for India-China relations pre-1962 war.

Nehru-Noon Pact (1958)

• Addressed territorial disputes with Pakistan over Berubari.
• Led to constitutional amendment for ceding territory.

Indus Water Treaty (1960)

• World Bank-brokered water-sharing deal with Pakistan.
• Divided river control between India (east) and Pakistan (west).

Sirima-Shastri Pact (1964)

• Addressed stateless Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka.
• India to repatriate 525,000; Sri Lanka to grant citizenship to 300,000.

Tashkent Agreement (1966)

• Peace deal after 1965 India-Pak war.
• Mutual troop withdrawals; non-use of force agreed.

Indo-Soviet Treaty (1971)

• 20-year alliance treaty ensuring Soviet support.
• Changed India’s non-alignment stance amid Cold War.

Shimla Agreement (1972)

• Post-1971 war peace treaty with Pakistan.
• Emphasized bilateral dispute resolution; Line of Control recognized.

Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh (1974; implemented 2015)

• Exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh.
• Constitutional amendment enabled implementation.

Maritime Boundary Treaty with Maldives (1976)

• Resolved territorial claims; defined Exclusive Economic Zones.

Dhaka Charter – Formation of SAARC (1985)

• Regional cooperation among South Asian nations.
• Promoted trade, culture, health, education collaboration.

Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord (1987)

• Aimed to end Sri Lankan civil war.
• India deployed peacekeeping forces; Tamil autonomy provisions.

Nuclear Non-Aggression Agreement with Pakistan (1988)

• Both agreed to No First Use of nuclear weapons.
• Notification before any nuclear use.

Mahakali Treaty with Nepal (1996)

• Joint management of Mahakali River waters for mutual benefit.

Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh (1996)

• Water sharing during dry seasons at Farakka Barrage.

Lahore Declaration (1999)

• India-Pakistan nuclear risk reduction and peace initiative.

Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN (2003)

• Peaceful dispute resolution and economic cooperation.

South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Agreement (2004)

• Gradual tariff reduction among SAARC nations.
• Preferential treatment for least developed members.

India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (2005)

• Enhanced trade, investment with Gulf Cooperation Council.

Civil Nuclear Deal (2006) & 123 Agreement (2008)

• Allowed India civil nuclear cooperation despite no NPT membership.
• Separation of civil/military facilities; safeguards by IAEA.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA)

• India-South Korea (2009), India-Japan (2011), India-UAE (2022).

Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)

• Military logistics sharing pact with the US (year varies by source).