'File 8/65 VIII RENEWAL of COMMERCIAL TREATY.'

Content

This file relates to the termination and proposed replacement of the 1939 Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, following the Sultan of Muscat and Oman's [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] notice of termination of the existing treaty in February 1950.

The file documents the prolongation of the existing treaty for a period of eight months, by an exchange of notes between the two parties, in order to allow time for the negotiation of a new treaty. Also covered are preparations for the drafting of a new treaty between the two parties (eventually concluded in December 1951 and ratified in May 1952).

Related matters of discussion include the following: whether the Government of India should also exchange notes with the Sultan for the prolongation of the existing treaty; whether the Government of Pakistan should also be informed of the Sultan's wish to prolong the treaty; the question of whether the British consular authorities in Muscat should continue to exercise jurisdiction over residing Indian nationals for the extended period of the existing treaty.

The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; officials of the Foreign Office.

Also included in the file are the following items: copies of drafts of the new treaty (ff 11-17 and ff 36-42); drafts of a protocol to the new treaty, produced by the Foreign Office and concerning consular functions and privileges (ff 27-29 and ff 31-34); a copy of a non-ratified consular convention between Britain and the United States of America, dated 16 February 1949 (ff 45-54).

Extent and format

1 file (122 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 124; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/6/260

Former external reference(s)

Subject files: File 8/65 VIII

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Dec 1950-28 Jul 1951 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and Muscat (1939)TreatiesConsular services

People & organisations

Political Resident, Persian GulfForeign OfficeSultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd Dynasty

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'File 8/65 VIII RENEWAL of COMMERCIAL TREATY.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/260, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000881.0x000023> [accessed 6 October 2024]

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