Major Treaties & Agreements
International Relations · प्रमुख संधियां और समझौते
📋Quick Overview
International treaties and agreements shape how nations interact on trade, environment, security, and development. For India, agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), Simla Agreement (1972), SAFTA, RCEP withdrawal, Paris Agreement on climate, and UNCLOS have profound strategic implications. This chapter covers all major bilateral and multilateral treaties most frequently asked in competitive exams.
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India withdrew from RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) in November 2019, citing concerns about Chinese goods flooding Indian markets and inadequate protection for Indian dairy and agriculture sectors. India was the only one of 16 negotiating countries to pull out.
📖Major Treaties — Comprehensive Table
| Treaty/Agreement | Year | Parties | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indus Waters Treaty | 1960 | India + Pakistan (World Bank mediator) | India: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej; Pakistan: Jhelum, Chenab, Indus; Permanent Indus Commission; survived all wars |
| Simla Agreement | 1972 | India (Indira Gandhi) + Pakistan (Bhutto) | Bilateral resolution of disputes; LoC formalized; no UN mediation; return of 90,000 POWs |
| SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) | 2006 | SAARC 8 member states | Reduce tariffs within SAARC; India-Pakistan tensions have stalled actual implementation |
| ASEAN FTA | 2009 (goods); 2015 (services) | India + 10 ASEAN members | Reduction of tariffs on goods; India concerned about trade deficit with ASEAN (especially China via ASEAN) |
| RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) | 2020 (India withdrew 2019) | 15 countries (ASEAN+5); India withdrew | India pulled out Nov 2019 citing dairy/agriculture concerns + China's trade threat; world's largest FTA (30% of world GDP) |
| Paris Agreement on Climate | 2015 | 196 parties; India ratified 2016 | India NDC: 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 (from 2005 baseline); 50% electricity from renewables by 2030 |
| UNCLOS (UN Convention on Law of Sea) | 1982 (entered force 1994) | India ratified | 12 nautical miles = territorial waters; 200 nautical miles = EEZ; India's EEZ: 2.02 million sq km |
| Antarctica Treaty (1959) | 1959; India acceded 1983 | 53 parties; India has 2 stations | Scientific research zone; no military; environmental protection; India: Maitri (1989) + Bharati (2012) stations |