| EXCHANGE OF LETTERS REGARDING TRADE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND FRANCE Paris, 19 October 1959 Paris, the 19th October, 1959 Your EXCELLENCY, During the course of discussions held in Paris from the 13th to the 17th October, 1959, between the representatives of the Governments
of the Republics of France and India, the trends in the progress of commercial relations between France and Ifl-ft were reviewed
and the following conclusions reached : (1) The two Parties are concerned by the recent slowing down of the exchanges of goods between the two countries. They recognise the
possibilities of larger exports from France to India in consequence of Indian development plans and note in this connection the need
to devote themselves most specially to bring the imports of Indian products into France to the highest possible level. The two Parties
accordingly consider that all possible efforts should be made on a basis of reciprocity to promote both purchases in France of Indian
products and importation into India of French products, and to take such practical measures as may be found to be necessary to overcome
the difficulties in the achievement of these common objectives. (2) The French representatives declare their firm determination to abolish progressively in respect of India and all other Member-countries
of the G.A.T.T. discrimination in the application of quantitative restrictions on imports into France with a view to furthering the
expansion of international trade on a sound and durable basis. Questions of interest to the two Parties in regard to the extension
of liberalisation on a non-discriminatory basis will fall within the purview of the Commission envisaged in paragraph 6 below. In addition, the French representatives declare themselves ready to examine in this Commission ways and means of facilitating importation
into the French Republic of products, of special interest to India in a manner compatible with the best interests of the two countries.
(3) The representatives of France have also declared that they will examine with the authorities of different States in the French
Community the possibilities of freer importation of Indian products into their respective Areas. (4) On their side the Indian delegates have given the assurance that within the scope of their general scheme of imports and subject
to the Foreign Exchange Regulations in force from time to time, imports originating from the French Republic and the States of the
Community would not be subjected to any discrimination, and that every effort will be made to safeguard the interests of traditional
French exports in the Indian market. In the event of the Indian Foreign Exchange Regulations being amended to the disadvantage of
French imports into India, the two parties will engage themselves in discussions with a view to carrying out consequential modifications
in this agreement. (5) Recognising the importance of closer trade relations and of augmenting their respective sales in each other's countries, the representatives
of the two Governments are resolved : (a) to strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation between the industrial enterprises, sales organisations and banking institutions
on both sides; (b) to give the most efficient support to the promotional measures which may be undertaken by the exporters of both countries, and,
in particular, to accord facilities to make their respective products known in each other's market; and (c) to examine, in the best spirit of reciprocal goodwill, the practical suggestions presented to the parties by the representatives
of business houses, trading corporations, trading associations and other private and State organisations and enterprises on both
sides for facilitating the exchange of goods. (6) To this end, and in order to facilitate the implementation of this understanding, it has been agreed that a Commission composed
of the representatives of the two Governments will meet at the request of either party at a place and time to be mutually agreed
upon. The Commission will endeavour to take steps, such as may be found necessary, to widen and deepen the economic relations and to enlarge the trade between the two countries on a mutually beneficial
basis. (7) This arrangement comes into effect upon signature and will remain in force for a period of one year thereafter, and is renewable
for such period as may be agreed upon in this behalf. I shall be grateful if your Excellency would kindly confirm that the foregoing correctly sets out the understanding reached between
the representatives of our two Governments. The French text of this arrangement is annexed. Yours sincerely, Sd/- K.B. LALL, Additional Secretary to the Government of India,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Leader, Indian Government Trade Delegation. His Excellency M. MAX FLECHET,
Secretary d'Etat aux: Affaires Economiques, PARIS. _______________________ Paris, the 19th October, 1959 MR. PRESIDENT, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated October 19th, 1959, which reads as follows (Notprinted) I confirm that the foregoing correctly sets out the understanding reached between the representatives of our two Governments. Yours sincerely, Sd/- MAX FLECHET. K.B. LALL, I.C.S., Additional Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and
Leader, Indian Government Trade Delegation.
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