Page 210 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol II

195
ST few3 natters1 affecthiVhc ,look oul Persian papers. Apart from the
during the period under ieJLw a,"d If>.CrS'a- hav? ocpcuTed
armed dhow to Kh-iccnK A 1 d Prolest regarding the visit of a Persian
Sort OmceratoS Jm WUh * categorical denial. In 1934 the Persian
unaware that it w!q nnt 1C* a^isit to Gwadur without notice, being apparently
"«"»<■ rriJr,h'
S5S “i,Ste°.‘S,d»c
r.ov/ommonf o«oinH us. • •.• ^^ran. A protest was made to the Persian
stated that ihc’Stiltan T8 ^wac*ur without first obtaining a visa, and it was
stated that the Sultan had taken courteous exception to it.(,,T) In the same year
‘jorTthe VppSrsian8rnre8ardm8ithe sci?ure by the Persians of a Muscat dhow. In
1937 the Persian Government complained informally that their subjects were
smuggling arms from Muscat, but the information furnished was too vague to
permit of adequate investigation. It appeared, however, that a trickle of arms
was reaching Persia from Muscat, the smugglers all being Persian subjects.C1*)

id) India
71. There are about 500 Hindus resident in Muscat territory, excluding
Gwadur, who have adopted Indian nationality and there is substantial trade
between Muscat and India, Muscat being largely dependent upon India for a
market for her dates. Since the transfer of power in 1947 the Sultan has treated
India with great respect and showed anxiety to be on good terms with her. As
the Government of India were a party to the Commercial Treaty of 1939, he
regarded it as still applying to India after the transfer of power at any rate until
that country became a republic when he expressed some doubts on the subject.
72. Early in 1949 the Government of India asked His Majesty’s Government
to seek the agreement of the Sultan under the Treaty of 1939 to the opening of an
Indian Consulate in Muscat, and stated that it was their intention in the first
instance to appoint a non-career Vice-Consul or Consul.C1*) The Sultan did not
object at first to the opening of a Consulate, but stated his preference for a career
Vice-Consul and that he would not in any case accept the appointment of a local
Hindu called Rai Bahadur Gokuldass who according to local rumour the
Government of India were proposing to select. Later in the year when it became
known that India was to become a republic the Sultan formed the opinion that it
was no longer possible for an Indian Consul to be appointed under the 1939 Treaty
and said that the matter must await the execution of a new treaty between Muscat
and India ("’) His Majesty’s Government held that the change of status in India
made no difference to her position under the Treaty and the Sultan was informed
accordingly, but refused to change his attitude.
73 Towards the end of 1949 the Sultan stayed in India for about six
wppW He cnent most of his time in Bombay where apparently he was not
SSL* AS 4h?h.
fako^Daid1 ^^ visit^to New Delhi where he had some official
subject,( ) but also pa d a * that negotiations for a new Treaty between
discussions during which it was agreeai * ^ ]939 Treaty had expired (i23)
India and Muscat should be undertak d a wish that they should not be
The Government of 17 above), but agreed to the exercise
made a party to the 1951 Treaty (p S P :urisdiction over their nationals then
by His Majesty’s Consulate of tn . . w\ When the Treaty had been signed
conceded by the Sultan (paragraph ld extended in respect of India, but
they asked that the previous I Two frigates of the Indian Navy visited
to this the Sultan would not agree.t
Muscat in 1950. Tehran visited Muscat early in 1952 and a
74. The Indian Ambassador a wa$ prepared. After some amendments
draft Treaty between Muscat and Indw at MuSCat on March 15, 1953 by
had been negotiated the 1 reaiyv s690/3709/9i of 1934).

U assussfJ: % -

(,:s) No. 10VI.T.C.