Understanding the Assam Accord Link

The question asks to identify the agreement linked to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985. This specific piece of legislation and the agreement are closely related in Indian history, particularly concerning issues in Assam.

The Assam Accord Explained

The Assam Accord was signed on August 15, 1985. It was an agreement between the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement. The primary goal of the Accord was to resolve the prolonged agitation concerning the issue of illegal immigrants in Assam.

• The Assam Movement ran from 1979 to 1985.
• It focused on detecting, deleting, and expelling foreign nationals from Assam.
• The Accord set timelines and procedures for addressing these concerns.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985 and its Connection

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985 was enacted to give effect to the commitments made in the Assam Accord. This amendment specifically addressed the provisions related to citizenship for individuals who had entered Assam after March 25, 1971, and who were part of the Assam movement.

Key aspects of the link include:

• The Act modified the Citizenship Act of 1955.
• It implemented the clause in the Assam Accord regarding the cut-off date for legal entry into India for residency purposes.
• Specifically, it dealt with the issue of identifying and granting citizenship based on the terms agreed upon in the Accord.

Therefore, the Assam Accord is directly linked to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, as the Act was a legislative measure to fulfill the promises made in the Accord.

Why Other Agreements Are Not Linked

• Shimla Agreement (1972): This agreement was primarily between India and Pakistan, focusing on bilateral relations and the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
• Indo-Sri Lanka Pact (1987): Also known as the Rajiv-Jayewardene Accord, this pact aimed to resolve the Sri Lankan civil war and involved Indian peacekeeping forces. It is not related to the Assam issues or the 1985 Citizenship Act.
• Kashmir Agreement: This is a broad term, but major agreements concerning Kashmir, like the Instrument of Accession or later political accords, do not relate to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, or the Assam Accord.

Based on this, the Assam Accord is the agreement directly connected to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985.