Archive · 4 Oct 2026
1965 War Postscript: Lahore-Amritsar Talks Mixed Diplomacy and Mind Games
After the 1965 war, Indian and Pakistani military officers met to work out ceasefire details and organize troop withdrawals.
The United Nations helped arrange their meetings in Lahore and Amritsar.
Indian commander Harbaksh Singh suggested that each group visit the other’s city rather than meet at a remote camp.
In Lahore, the visitors saw banners teasing India about a captured jeep.
Harbaksh objected and warned that he could answer the provocation during the return visit.
In Amritsar, the Pakistani delegation visited the Golden Temple.
Sant Fateh Singh spoke about Sikh beliefs and said people in India and Pakistan should not fight.
He also gave the visitors religious books.
UN-coordinated military meetings in Lahore and Amritsar addressed ceasefire details and troop withdrawals.
The meetings followed a November 5, 1965, Security Council resolution and were coordinated by Brigadier-General Tulio Marambio.
Indian commander Harbaksh Singh rejected a proposed neutral camp, arranging for the delegations to visit each other’s cities instead.
During the February 1966 Lahore visit, Pakistani banners advertised rides in a captured Indian general’s jeep, prompting Harbaksh to object.
In Amritsar, the Pakistani delegation visited the Golden Temple, where Sant Fateh Singh urged peace between Indians and Pakistanis.
- Who
- Indian and Pakistani military delegations, coordinated by UN representative Brigadier-General Tulio Marambio.
- What
- A series of joint meetings to discuss ceasefire details and coordinate the withdrawal of forces.
- When
- The meetings followed a November 5, 1965, Security Council resolution; the Indian delegation visited Lahore in February 1966.
- Where
- Lahore and Amritsar.
- Why
- To discuss the ceasefire and coordinate the withdrawal of forces after the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
- UN coordinator
- Brigadier-General Tulio Marambio, the UN Secretary-General’s representative.
- Indian delegation leader
- Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command.
- Pakistani delegation leader
- Lt Gen Bakhtiar Rana, GOC 1 Corps.
- Meeting locations
- Lahore and Amritsar; the meetings alternated between the two cities.
- Lahore visit
- The Indian delegation arrived in February 1966 aboard a UN aircraft.
- Captured vehicle
- A Jonga jeep belonging to Maj Gen Niranjan Prasad was displayed in Lahore.
- Amritsar visit
- The Pakistani delegation toured the Golden Temple and met Sant Fateh Singh.