IOR/R/15/6/262

Continuing on from the previous file (IOR/R/15/6/261), this file relates to the conclusion of a new Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Britain and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd].

The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman; officials of the Foreign Office and India Office.

Most of the correspondence concerns final amendments to the treaty. Also covered are the following: the extension of the existing treaty (concluded in 1939) until 31 December 1951, to allow time for the completion of its replacement; preparations for the signing of the new treaty in Muscat on 20 December 1951, as well as an exchange of letters (on arrangements relating to jurisdiction); a request in December 1951 from the Government of India for a three-month extension of the 1939 treaty, while preparations are made for its own treaty with the Sultan.

In addition to correspondence, the file includes the following: copies of the respective speeches given by the Sultan (in both Arabic and English) and the Political Resident, on the occasion of the signing of the treaty (ff 12-16); signature copies of the new treaty, in English and Arabic (ff 20-31); draft copies of the English text of the treaty (ff 42-48, ff 116-126, and ff 137-151).

All of the file's material is dated between 14 October and 21 December 1951, with the exception of a note on folio 11, dated 4 February 1952.