Coll 5/80 ‘Air Route to India – Arab Coast Route: Sharjah Air Agreement & additional accommodation for the B.A.O.C.’ [‎35r] (69/256)

External Po'oartrnesi t
W..P- -Wt»awy — -»%»1 w «I Will » iwrwiwta
To
QYPHEB (0* TgJPt J
Secretary of State for India
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. * Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. * Bahrein
Repeated to Government of India* External Affairs Department*
.Government of India's telegram 302B of 18th April*
paragraph 2« H*k.G. have no objection to Air India operating
service calling vat Sharjah and Bahrein on basis of existing
facilities as long as these continue. It is impossible to see
very far ahead but following is present position:
( a ) Bhapja h* B^O^A-Ge now have no service chilling there
but at requ^toF"iiini stry of Civil Aviation are csontinuing for
present to i»n fort and provide communications requirements for
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. air route as a whole. KoA-F. have continuing
Interest in airfield. presumably these facilities will suffice
for needs of Indian air service, but it is difficult for us here
to be sure of this without further detailed information*
(k) Bahrein . With reference to paragraph 2 of your
telegram 543 of Tst iiay Air Ministry state that R.A.F. are
maintaining accoi(xiir;odation for 150 permanent staff eaid 10C
passengei^s. provided that there is no night stop scheduled by
Indian service B.G.A.C. would no doubt provide emergency night-
atop accouuiodation by ax*rangeirient with Air India. As regards
tsigaals facilities we are not sure what Indian servicers point
to point .requirementa will be. v^ith this possible exception
adequate signals facilities should be available.
2» K owe it Please see my I.mediately succeeding telegram*
It Is noT cI.eiir whether Air India are interested in possibility
of call at Koweit# H.h.G. are not thenuaelves interested in
making Kowe.it an aarodrome for operating of scheduled sei^/ices
and any facilities for Indian services would probably hove to
b* provided by Oil Company*
3, I suggest ae first step representative of Air India
should get into touch with B.O.A.G.'s representative in India
to make sure that requisite facilities for operation of service
will be available* If this is cleared satisfactorily you might
then inform Sheikhs of Sharjah and Bahrein of proposed service.
4* Approach to Iraqi Government proposed in paragraph 3 of
Govemnien.t of India's telegram 3025 might perhaps be deferred
until it la clearer what facilities will be available on Persian
Gulf route*
H.k. .Ambassador* Bsighdad, and
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. , Koweit
Despatched 11.30 hours, 23rd May 19^T
Ko CT 6gl3. OOKFIDEWTI/J*