Archive · 10 Oct 2026
India Says UNMOGIP Outlived Relevance After Simla Agreement
India says a United Nations observer mission in India and Pakistan is no longer needed after the two countries signed an agreement in 1972.
The mission is called UNMOGIP.
India's spokesperson made the comment after the UN Secretary-General visited the mission's office in Islamabad.
He praised the mission's workers and said they have a difficult job.
The 1972 agreement says India and Pakistan should work toward peace and friendly relations.
The two countries also agreed that principles of the UN Charter would guide their relations.
During the same briefing, India said it was asking Russia about 69 Indian nationals believed to be serving in the Russian Army.
India wants information about their whereabouts and help arranging their return.
India's Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that UNMOGIP has outlived its relevance since the 1972 Simla Agreement.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the comment in response to a question about UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's visit to the mission's Islamabad office.
Guterres visited UNMOGIP on October 6 during an official trip to Pakistan and praised its staff for carrying out a difficult mandate.
The Simla Agreement says the two countries will work toward friendly relations and durable peace, with UN Charter principles governing their relations.
Jaiswal also said India was seeking information from Russia about 69 Indian nationals believed to be serving in its army and ways to secure their return.
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also visited UNMOGIP.
- What
- India reiterated that UNMOGIP has outlived its relevance after the Simla Agreement.
- When
- The remarks were made at a briefing on October 9; Guterres visited the UNMOGIP office on October 6. The year is not specified.
- Where
- The comments were made in New Delhi; Guterres visited UNMOGIP's office in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Why
- India bases its position on the 1972 Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan.
India's view
UN Secretary-General's remarks
UNMOGIP's relevance and mandate
India's view
India says UNMOGIP has outlived its relevance after the 1972 Simla Agreement.
UN Secretary-General's remarks
Guterres described UNMOGIP as a long-standing mission with a difficult mandate and praised its staff's work. His remarks did not directly address India's position on the mission's relevance.
- Mission
- United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
- India's position
- India says UNMOGIP has outlived its relevance after the Simla Agreement.
- Agreement
- The Simla Agreement was signed by India and Pakistan in 1972.
- UN Secretary-General's visit
- Antonio Guterres visited UNMOGIP's office in Islamabad on October 6.
- Guterres's remarks
- He described the mission as long-standing and its mandate as difficult, and praised its staff's dedication and professionalism.
- Indian nationals in Russia
- India said it was seeking information about 69 individuals believed to be serving in the Russian Army and seeking ways to secure their return.