Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India, hereinafter referred to as "Contracting Parties".

Wishing to strengthen and develop economic, trade, industrial, scientific, technological and cultural co-operation on a long-term and stable basis and on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Latvian-Indian Inter-Governmental Commission, hereinafter referred to as "Commission", is established with the purpose to develop cooperation between the Contracting Parties in Economic, Trade, Industrial, Scientific, Technological and Cultural fields.

Article 2

The tasks of the Commission are:

- to consider questions arising in the course of implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India on Trade and Economic Cooperation, signed on September 10, 1993, the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India, signed on September 1, 1995, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India in the Spheres of Culture, Arts, Education, Science, mass-Media and Sports, signed on September 1, 1995, as well as issues of normal functioning of the enterprises on the territory of the State of one Contracting Party having collaboration/participation of the other Contracting Party;

- to study possibilities for further development of economic, trade, industrial, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation;

- to elaborate proposals for successful implementation of the agreements and extension of cooperation in these spheres, for approval by the Contracting Parties, as well as to settle other questions pertaining to economic, trade, industrial, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation.

Article 3

The Commission shall comprise of an equal number of representatives from each Contracting Party.

Each Contracting Party would appoint Co-Chairman, Deputy Co-Chairman, Executive Secretary and members on its side of the Commission.

The Co-Chairmen shall inform each other about the membership of its side of the Commission and any subsequent changes.

Article 4

The Commission shall convene for meetings every alternate year on agreed dates.

Meetings of the Commission shall be conducted alternately in New Delhi and Riga and shall be chaired by the Co-Chairman from the host country.

The Commission shall conduct its meetings as per the approved working schedule agreed to between the Co-Chairmen.

Meetings of the Commission may be attended by the requisite number of advisers and experts of each side.

Article 5

The schedule of regular meetings and the preliminary agenda shall be settled by the Co-Chairmen through consultations at least 30 days before the commencement of the meeting.

The meeting shall consider predetermined agenda items as well as the items which, subject to the Co-Chairmen's consent, may be included in the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.

Article 6

On request of one of the Co-Chairman, a special meeting of the Commission may be convened.

At the initiative of a Contracting Party, additional meetings between the Co-Chairmen or their deputies shall be arranged as promptly as possible.

Article 7

Decisions at the Commission's meetings shall be adopted by consensus.

Decisions of the Commission shall come into force on the date of their signing, if not provided otherwise.

Those decisions that, according to the statement of one of the Co-Chairmen, have to be approved by authorized bodies of its respective country shall come into force on the date of notification by the corresponding Co-Chairman about their approval.

Article 8

Results and decisions of the Commission meetings shall be reflected in the protocols which shall be signed by the Co-Chairmen.

Protocols of the Commission meetings shall be done in Latvian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic.

Article 9

On urgent matters the Co-Chairmen shall have the right with mutual consent to take decisions within their scope in the periods between meetings of the Commission.

Article 10

In order to fulfil its tasks the Commission may set up permanent and provisional Sub-Commissions or Working Groups as may be deemed necessary to deal with specific areas of cooperation. The Sub-Commissions will submit reports of their work to the Commission at each session and will carry out their work as per the plans and decisions approved by the Commission.

The Commission and its Sub-Commissions may adopt such rules and procedures as may be necessary for their functioning in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Article 11

The Executive Secretary of the Commission in the Republic of Latvia and the Executive Secretary of the Commission in the Republic of India shall be responsible for organising the activity of the respective side, coordination of the work of its executive bodies, preparation of documents for the Commission meetings, as well as for other organisational questions with respect to the activities of the Commission. For these purposes the Executive Secretaries shall be in regular contact with each other.

Article 12

Expenses for organising the Commission meetings and the work of its permanent and provisional bodies shall be borne by the country hosting a meeting.

All travel and living expenses, including hotel accommodation, of the Commission meeting participants and members of its permanent and provisional bodies, shall be borne by the country deputing its representatives to these meetings.

Article 13

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the signing and shall be valid for a period of five years.

The validity of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for subsequent five-year periods at a time, unless either Contracting Party gives a written notice to the other Contracting party six months in advance of the date of its expiry conveying its intention to terminate the Agreement.

This Agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties in writing.

Signed in Riga on this 27 day of June 2001, in two originals, each in Latvian, Hindi, and English languages, all the texts being equally authentic. In case of divergences, the English text shall prevail.