Explained: All about 1999 Lahore Declaration and how Pakistan 'violated' it

livemint.com:

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted that his country violated the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which he signed with his Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that, Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us.

But we violated that agreement...it was our fault," Nawaz Sharif said during a meeting of the PML-N general council. India and Pakistan conducted their respective nuclear tests in 1998, which raised global concerns regarding the historical tensions between the neighbouring countries. With some nudge from the international powers, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee decided to travel to Pakistan and sign the historic 1999 Lahore Declaration with Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif.

The declaration outlined key steps both countries should take to improve bilateral relations and resolve outstanding issues, particularly the Kashmir conflict. The 1999 Lahore Declaration laid out various objectives, and both countries agreed to reaffirm their commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and their determination to implement the Simla Agreement in letter and spirit.1. Nuclear and Conventional Safety- The two countries emphasized the need to take immediate steps to ensure the safe and authorized use of nuclear energy and reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.2.

Kashmir issue- India and Pakistan agreed to intensify their efforts at the resolving all conflict related to Kashmir, through proper diplomatic channels. 3. Confidence-Building Measures- The two sides also agreed to keep the channels of communication open and engage in a structured dialogue to address all issues of concern to