THE TASHKENT MEETING

Finally after 21days UN had decided to intervene between the ongoing Indo-Pak War 1965. But before that our troops did well in the Kashmir sector and captured the strategic HAZI PIR PASS. After the intervene both nation had declared ceasefire. Soviet union which by now anxious to make its presence in South Asia suggested Tashkent as a venue of talk between the two neighbors. 

Russia knows the whole history of Kashmir and also about Sino-Indo war of 1962 hence he could not ask India to giveup more territory. Pakistan also have tried all method including war but couldn't get anything. Kosygin (then Russian president) told the two leaders about their neighbouring China which can take advantage of the war. 

Kosygin wanted both India and Pakistan to seek a solution of all their problems on table and withdraw their troops to the position prior to the war. But On one hand Shastri Ji was not ready to withdraw the forces as he also told in indian parliament on the other General Ayub Khan was not ready for peaceful talk as Governor of then East Pakistan once told in his interview that Ayub believes that Pakistan would loose it's identity if he makes friendly relations with India. 

But USSR was not ready to giveup hence he called Swarn Singh (indian foreign minister) at 11pm and told his, whole world is looking at us. Some solution must be fond. Swarn Singh suggested a balanced draft by Russia. Next day the Russian presented their proposal on withdrawal of troops and peaceful talk. Russia convinced India that refusal to withdraw precedent which pakistan might exploit to annex some Indian territory at a later date, India also agreed as it fears lost of Soviet support, but Shastri Ji cleared that he will not live from one cease fire to another cease fire. Soviet also warned pakistan to follow the international rules and follow peaceful means.

Although Bhutto (then foreign minister of Pakistan) was not in favour of the treaty but Ayub had to sign it. On 10 Jan 1966 the declaration took place and on the same night India lost its 2nd prime minister in suspicious condition.

After Shastri's death India appears to have made a mistake by not delaying in troops withdrawal as after this pakistan had refused to fulfill the other clauses of the agreement. 

This was the pact after which India had gained it's confidence after 1962 but lost the man who played a key role in it.