KATHMANDU: On December 21, 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal signed a historic treaty that marked the first international acknowledgment of Nepal’s sovereignty. This treaty shaped Nepal’s status as an independent nation.
The treaty, the result of years of diplomatic negotiations, was celebrated with a two-day national holiday in Nepal. It provided Nepal with a distinct international identity and played a crucial role in solidifying its recognition as an independent and sovereign country.
Ratifications were exchanged on April 8, 1925. Known as the Treaty of Friendship, it has stood the test of time and remains significant for both nations even today. Below is the full text of the treaty:
Treaty between the United Kingdom and Nepal, together with Note respecting the Importation of Arms and Ammunition into Nepal.
Signed at Kathmandu, December 21, 1923.
[Ratifications exchanged at Kathmandu, April 8, 1925.]
Whereas peace and friendship have now existed between the British Government and the Government of Nepal since the signing of the Treaty of Segowlie on the second day of December, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen; and whereas since that date the Government of Nepal has ever displayed its true friendship for the British Government and the British Government has as constantly shown its goodwill towards the Government of Nepal; and whereas the Governments of both the countries are now desirous of still further strengthening and cementing the good relations and friendship which have subsisted between them for more than a century; the two High Contracting Parties having resolved to conclude a new Treaty of Friendship have agreed upon the following Articles :-
ARTICLE 1.
There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Governments of Great Britain and Nepal, and the two Governments agree mutually to acknowledge and respect each other’s inde-pendence, both internal and external.
ARTICLE 2.
All previous Treaties, Agreements and Engagements, since and including the Treaty of Segowlie of 1815, which have been concluded between the two Governments are hereby confirmed, except so far as they may be altered by the present Treaty.
ARTICLE 3.
As the preservation of peace and friendly relations with the neighbouring States whose territories adjoin their common frontiers is to the mutual interests of both the High Contracting Parties, they hereby agree to inform each other of any serious friction or misunderstanding with those States likely to rupture such friendly relations, and each to exert its good offices as far as may be possible to remove such friction and misunderstanding.
ARTICLE 4.
Each of the High Contracting Parties will use all such measures as it may deem practicable to prevent its territories being used for purposes inimical to the security of the other.
ARTICLE 5.
In view of the long standing friendship that has subsisted between the British Government and the Government of Nepal, and for the sake of cordial neighbourly relations between them, the British Government agrees that the Nepal Government shall be free to import from or through British India into Nepal whatever arms, ammunition, machinery, warlike material or stores may be required or desired for the strength and welfare of Nepal, and that this arrangement shall hold good for all time as long as the British Government is satisfied that the intentions of the Nepal Government are friendly and that there is no immediate danger to India from such importations. The Nepal Government, on the other hand, agrees that there shall be no export of such arms, ammunition, &c.,across the frontier of Nepal either by the Nepal Government or by private individuals.
If, however, any Convention for the regulation of the Arms Traffic, to which the British Government may be a party, shall come into force, the right of importation of arms and ammunition by the Nepal Government shall be subject to the proviso that the Nepal Government shall first become a party to that Convention, and that such importation shall only be made in accordance with the provisions of that Convention.
ARTICLE 6.
No Customs Duty shall be levied at British Indian Ports on goods imported on behalf of the Nepal Government for immediate transport to that country provided that a certificate from such authority as may from time to time be determined by the two Governments shall, be presented at the time of importation to the Chief Customs Officer at the Port of import setting forth that the goods are the property of the Nepal Government, are required for the public services of the Nepal Government, are not for the purpose of any State monopoly or State trade, and are being sent to Nepal under orders of the Nepal Government.
The British Government also agrees to the grant in respect of all trade goods, imported at British Indian Ports for immediate trans-mission to Kathmandu without breaking bulk en route of a rebate of the full duty paid, provided that in accordance with arrangements already agreed to between the two Governments, such goods may break bulk for repacking at the port of entry under Customs super-vision in accordance with such rules as may from time to time be laid down in this behalf. Rebate may be claimed on the authority of a certificate signed by the said authority that the goods have arrived at Katmandu with the Customs seals unbroken and otherwise untampered with.
ARTICLE 7.
This Treaty signed on the part of the British Government by Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. T. O’Connor, C.I.E., C.V.O., British Envoy at the Court of Nepal, and on the part of the Nepal Government by General His Highness Maharaja Sir Chandra Shumshere 2090 Wt.-1125 7/25 F.O. P. 113249 Jung, Bahadur Rana, G.C.B., GcC,M.G., G.C.V.O.,D.C.L., Thong_lin Pimma-Kokang-Wang,Syan, Prime Minister and Marshal-of Nepal, shall beratified and’ the ratifications shall be exchanged at Katmandu as soon as practicable.
Signed and sealed at Katmandu this the twenty-first day of December in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three anno Doinini, corresponding with the sixth Paush, Sambat Era one thousand nine hundred and eighty.
(L.S.)W. F. O’CONNOR, Lieutenant-Colonel,
British Envoy at the Court of Nepal.
(L.S.)CHANDRA 91-1-UM SIIERE,
Prime Minister and Marshal of Nepal.
The Prime Minister of Nepal to the British Envoy at the Courto f Nepal.
My dear Colonel O’Connor, Nepal, December 21, 1923. REGARDING the purchase of arms and munitions which the Government of. Nepal buys from time to time for the strength and welfare of Nepal, and imports to its own territory from and through British India in accordance with article 5 of the Treaty between the two Governments, the Government of Nepal hereby agrees that it will, from time to time before the importation of arms and munitions at British Indian Ports, furnish detailed lists of such arms and munitions to the British Envoy at the Court of Nepal in order that the British Government may be in a position to issue instructions to the port authorities to afford the necessary facilities for their importation in accordance with article 6 of this Treaty.
I am, &c.
(Signed) CIIANDRA.
To Lieut.-Colonel W. F. T. O’Connor,
C.I.E., C.V.O.,
British Envoy at the Court of Nepal
