INDIA OFFERS CREW LIST EXEMPTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001827 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MARR MOPS PBTS KREC KTIA IN SUBJECT: INDIA OFFERS CREW LIST EXEMPTION NEW DELHI 00001827 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. This is an action request for the Department - please see paragraphs 4 and 5. ¶2. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has presented a Diplomatic Note (No. 794/JS/AMS/2007, dated April 11, 2007) offering a bilateral resolution of the outstanding "crew list" issue, proposing exemption of the furnishing of crew lists for American Navy ships visiting Indian ports. The Agreement would take effect upon confirmation by the USG, through a diplomatic note, providing reciprocal exemption to Indian Naval ships visiting U.S. ports. Full text of MEA's Dip Note is in paragraph three. ¶3. Begin text of Indian Diplomatic Note: The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in new Delhi and has the honor to inform the US Government that recognising the long standing and excellent relations between the US Navy and the Indian Navy, the Government of India has decided to exempt, on a reciprocal basis, the visiting Naval ships of US Navy, from the requirement of furnishing particulars of the crew as contemplated under Section 6 of our Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 or 1946),when visiting ports in India. (2). This exemption would come into effect on confirmation by the US Government, through a diplomatic note stating that the same exemptions would be available to Indian Naval Ships visiting US ports. (3). The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United states of America the assurances of its highest consideration. End text of Indian Diplomatic Note. ¶4. Action request: Post believes we should provide as soon as possible a response, via diplomatic note, to seal this agreement which we have been formally seeking since July ¶2005. We seek Washington clearance for the proposed language below. We urge the swiftest possible turnaround by Washington, in order to finalize this long-awaited agreement and avoid possible complications by Indian critics, bureaucrats and government opponents. ¶5. Begin text of proposed Diplomatic Note in reply: (Complimentary opening) and acknowledges receipt of the Ministry's Note No. 794/JS/AMS/2007 dated April 11, 2007 which reads as follows: (quote Indian Note in its entirety). The Embassy confirms that the proposal set forth in the Ministry's Note, noting that the same exemptions would be available to Indian Naval Ships visiting US ports, is acceptable to the Government of the United States of America and the Ministry's Note and this Note constitutes an NEW DELHI 00001827 002.2 OF 002 agreement between the two governments which enters into force on the date of this Note. (Complimentary closing) End text of Note in reply. KAESTNER