IOR/L/PS/12/2185

The file contains correspondence regarding requests by the Government of Afghanistan to import explosives via India, to be used for non-military purposes like blasting and quarrying. The principal correspondents are: the India Office Political Department; the Government of India Foreign and Political Department; the Foreign Office; HM Legation in Kabul; and the Afghan Legations to London, Paris and Karachi. The following topics are discussed: the terms of the Anglo-Afghan Agreement (1921) and the Indian Explosives Act (1884); the procedure to be followed when requesting permission to import non-military explosives; licensing conditions; dues to be paid; and safety procedures to be followed.

The file also contains correspondence and reports regarding safety tests carried out by HM Inspector of Explosives, on material ordered from the Belgian firm Poudreries Réunies de Belgique (folios 60-67, 81-83, and 94). Later correspondence (1934-1935) concerns material ordered from the Swedish firm AB Bofors Nobelkrut (folios 15-20).

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (folio 1).