IOR/L/PS/10/448/1

Part 1 relates to trade with Persian Gulf ports, specifically the tea trade, and the impact of trade restrictions imposed by the Government of India in Southern Persia. It includes the following subject matters:

• concerns about the increase in imports of tea into Persia from Russia, in contrast to a decrease of the same from India, and suggestions of how the British might reverse this trend (e.g. by securing a reduction of the duty on tea at Persian ports);
• reports of tea and other goods being smuggled into enemy hands;
• discussion of appeals, both from the British Minister at Tehran, and from the Imperial Bank of Persia (both of which are supported by the Foreign Office), for the Government of India to remove its trade restrictions in Southern Persia (specifically by reopening the Bushire-Shiraz road to traffic), which is reported to be having a damaging effect both on the exchange rate and on the financial situation in Persia generally.

The principal correspondents are the following: the British Minister, Tehran (Sir Walter Beaupré Townley, succeeded by Charles Murray Marling); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Foreign Office; the Government of India's Commerce and Industry Department; the Viceroy of India; the Imperial Bank of Persia.