HC Deb 29 November 1962 vol 668 c634

Exchange of Letters between the British and Indian Governments

The following letters have been exchanged between Mr. Duncan Sandys, Commonwealth Secretary on behalf of the British Government and Mr. Y. B. Chavan, Defence Minister on behalf of the Government of India, in Delhi at 10.30 a.m. local time today (27th November).

Letter from Mr. Sandys In response to requests from the Government of India, the United Kingdom Government is prepared to provide the Government of India with arms and military equipment for the purpose of defending India against Chinese aggression. 2. It is the understanding of the United Kingdom Government that the Government of India:
  1. (a) will obtain the consent of the United Kingdom Government prior to the transfer of title to or possession of any arms and equipment so provided and will take appropriate measures to protect their security.
  2. (b) will offer necessary facilities to representatives of the United Kingdom Government attached to the staff of the British High Commissioner in India for the purpose of observing and reviewing the use of these arms and equipment and will provide them with such information as may be necessary for that purpose;
  3. (c) will offer for return to the United Kingdom Government such items as are no longer needed for the purpose for which they were provided.
 3. The items of the arms and military equipment to be thus provided will be agreed from time to time between the Government of India and the United Kingdom Government and will be provided without payment, within an agreed financial limit. 4. The United Kingdom Government will be responsible for the transport to India of arms and equipment provided by them under these arrangements. 5. A reply agreeing to these arrangements and confirming that the understandings stated in paragraph 2 of this letter are correct will constitute an Agreement between the Government of India and the United Kingdom Government which shall come into force on the date of the Government of India's reply. Mr. Chavan's reply quotes Mr. Sandys's letter in full and continues: "I confirm that the Government of India agree to the arrangements set out above and that the understandings quoted are correct. I agree that your letter and this reply shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which comes into force on the date of this reply.