AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OFTHE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA IN THE HONG KONG SPECIALADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OFTHE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA IN THE HONG KONG SPECIALADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Whole document The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of India (hereinafter referred to as "the two Parties"), with the common desire to develop friendly relations and enhance consular relations between the two countries, have agreed as follows: 1. The Government of the People's Republic of China gives its consent to the maintenance by the Government of the Republic of India of its Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

2. The Government of the People's Republic of China shall, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April, 1963 and relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, accord necessary assistance and facilities to the Consulate General of the Republic of India in the exercise of consular functions.

3. The Government of the People's Republic of China takes note of the fact that the Consulate General of the Republic of India in Hong Kong concurrently performs consular functions in Macao and agrees to the continuation of this arrangement after the Government of the People's Republic of China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Macao with effect from 20 December, 1999.

4. The operation of the Consulate General of the Republic of India in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, including its privileges and immunities, shall be regulated by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April, 1963.

5. The two Parties shall handle consular matters between them in a friendly and cooperative spirit on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

6. The present Agreement shall enter into force on 1 July, 1997. The two Parties shall complete their respective domestic legal and constitutional processes that are necessary to give effect to this Agreement before this date and notify the other Party accordingly.

Done in New Delhi on 29 November, 1996 in duplicate in the Chinese, Hindi and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence, the English text shall prevail.

For the Government of For the Government of the People's Republic of China the Republic of India