New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta has criticised the outcome of the 1972 Shimla Agreement, saying India failed to capitalise on its massive military victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Referring to the negotiation table used during the agreement, he described it as a lasting reminder of what he called strategic mistakes committed by the leadership at the time.
Speaking about the aftermath of the war, Gupta said India had achieved a decisive battlefield triumph under the leadership of General Jagjit Singh Aurora, with more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering to the Indian Army. According to him, India was in a powerful position and could have secured major concessions from Pakistan but eventually failed to do so during negotiations.
He said the breakup of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh had placed India in an exceptionally strong position diplomatically and militarily. However, he argued that the opportunity was lost during talks held under the Shimla Agreement. Gupta remarked that the table preserved at Lok Bhawan in Shimla serves as a symbolic reminder of those missed opportunities.
The governor’s remarks came days after Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan against continuing support for terrorism directed at India. Gupta echoed a tough stance on Pakistan, stating that the neighbouring country had suffered defeat in every major military confrontation with India, including the wars of 1965, 1971 and the Kargil conflict.
Apart from discussing national security issues, Gupta also addressed fuel conservation efforts in Himachal Pradesh. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption, he said he had cut the size of his own convoy by more than half and urged the state government and public institutions to do the same.
He added that instructions had been issued to government departments and universities in Himachal Pradesh to minimise unnecessary vehicle use. Stressing the importance of conserving fuel, Gupta pointed to the high fuel prices in Pakistan as an example of the economic pressures countries can face during times of instability.
