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Coll 30/67 'Koweit & H.M.G.: Policy of H.M.G. in regard to relations with the Shaikh of Koweit.' [‎44r] (87/705)

The record is made up of 1 file (351 folios). It was created in 5 Oct 1933-26 Nov 1937. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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\ for an air iDase and a naval base in Koweit, the India
Office, if such steps were practicable and subject to the
views of 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. , would regard these prime
facie as welcome, since they would bring money into the
country.
Mr. Rendel thought that there was not necessarily any
very great difference between the 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. and Foreign
Office views. The Foreign Office were fully alive to the
importance of removing the Sheikh’s grievances, and had in
fact for years been making every possible effort to do so.
But the main difficulty still seemed to be the inadequacy ►
of the control we exercised over the Sheikh. At present
the only sign of our influence at Koweit was the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
building, outside the town on its seaward side. On the
inland side there was nothing to show that Koweit was in
any way separate or distinct from Saudi Arabia or Iraq.
What was wanted was some outward and visible sign of British
influence, to emphasise the fact that Koweit was essentially
separate and independent from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and
under British protection. It was really a case of showing
the flag. From the technical point of view there might be
no need for a new naval base at Koweit, but for general
political reasons, and for reasons of wider strategy, the
establishment of some kind of naval station there might be
of great value. Apart from the psychological effect, it
would give us a means of strengthening and increasing our
influence at any moment at which it should be desirable to
do so, without making any obvious new departure.
Mr. Seal admitted that Koweit might be strategically
important, but it was a far cry from this to say that the
building of a naval base was justified.
Mr. x{endel said that all that was required was a small
affair/

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Content

The file concerns British Government ( HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. ) policy on relations with the Shaikh of Koweit [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ruler of Kuwait].

The file contains correspondence, minutes and memoranda produced by senior officials at the Foreign Office and the 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. ; 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the British Minister at Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan); and other British officials.

The papers cover: 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. summary of events in Kuwait, 1908-28 (folios 345-351); minutes and discussion of a meeting held at the Foreign Office on 5 October 1934 to discuss relations between the British Government and the Shaikh of Kuwait (final record of meeting, folios 209-218); the question of whether the British should declare a protectorate over Kuwait; relations between the Sheikh of Kuwait and Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]; the question of the blockade of Kuwait by Saudi Arabia; Kuwait oil (including 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. paper concerning the Shaikh's entering into negotiations over an oil concession without first consulting the British Government, folios 153-158); discussion of British control over Kuwait's foreign relations (e.g. letters from 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. , folios 132-136, and the British Minister at Jeddah, folios 116-119, and minutes of a meeting at the Foreign Office on 2 September 1936, folios 104-108); Eastern Department, Foreign Office paper on future policy in regard to Kuwait (folios 78-84); minutes of informal departmental meeting held at the Foreign Office on 18 May 1937, including discussion of the Shaikh of Kuwait's date gardens, and the possible use of Kuwait as a naval base (folios 42-52); discussion of a newspaper article highlighting the strategic importance of Kuwait (folios 29-31); and a letter from 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. to the 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. , dated 16 August 1937, including discussion of the need to keep Kuwait independent of both Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and the possible use of Kuwait as an air base (folios 14-23).

The file includes some papers of an earlier date than the main correspondence date range: 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. paper on Kuwait dated 1928 (folios 345-351), and copy of lease dated 1907 (folios 328-344).

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (351 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 for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 352; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 30/67 'Koweit & H.M.G.: Policy of H.M.G. in regard to relations with the Shaikh of Koweit.' [‎44r] (87/705), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3784, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037556447.0x000058> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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