IOR/L/PS/10/448/2

Part 2 concerns the shipping of goods between India and Southern Persian ports. Much of the correspondence discusses exports of metals and the possibility of such exports falling into enemy hands. It covers the following subject matter:

• discussion of Foreign Office concerns regarding exports of copper and other metals from India to Persian Gulf ports, and the possibility of some of these exports reaching the enemy;
• requests from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf for the Bombay and Karachi customs authorities to allow the passage from India of foodstuffs destined for Bahrein [Bahrain] and Maskat [Muscat], and discussion of the possibility of wheat being exported from Basra to ports in the Gulf;
• discussion regarding imports of tin from India to Persia (which are subject to permits and quarterly rations);
• enquiries made both to the India Office and to the Government of India by various shipping companies and agents, regarding shipments of consignments of prohibited or rationed goods;
• details of the annual ration of imports of copper and other metals into Persian Gulf ports;
• discussion of the Political Resident's request for an increase in the tin ration for Mesopotamia.

The principal correspondents are the following: the Government of India's Commerce and Industry Department; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secretary to the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department; the Foreign Office; the British Minister, Tehran (Charles Murray Marling); the Secretary to the India Office's Political and Secret Department (John Evelyn Shuckburgh); the British Consul General, Ispahan [Isfahan]; the War Trade Department.