Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India on Exemption from Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic Passports

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of India

Hereafter referred to singularly as the "Contracting Party" and collectively as the "Contracting Parties"

Considering the interest of both states to strengthen their friendly relations, and

Desiring to facilitate the entry of the nationals of the Republic of Latvia and the nationals of the Republic of India, who are holders of diplomatic passports into their respective states,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1
Visa Exemption

1. A national of the State of either Contracting Party, holding a valid diplomatic passport shall be allowed to enter into, exit from and transit through the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party through their respective international border crossing points without a visa.

2. A national of the State of either Contracting Party, holding a valid diplomatic passport shall be allowed to stay in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party for the maximum period of ninety (90) days in any 180 day period without a visa.

Article 2
Visas for Assignments

1. A national of the State of either Contracting Party, who is assigned as a member of the diplomatic or consular staff or as representative in an international organization located in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party and is a holder of valid diplomatic passport, shall be required to obtain a visa prior to entry into the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party.

2. The holders of diplomatic passports of the State of either Contracting Party who are employed by an international organization, body, agency or any other such entity, shall be required to obtain visa prior to their entry into the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party for official or private visits.

3. The conditions laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article shall also apply to the family members of a member of the diplomatic Mission or Consulate or representative in international organization.

Article 3
Refusal of Entry and Loss of Passport

1. Either Contracting Party reserves the right to refuse the entry into or shorten the stay in its territory of any nationals of the State of the other Contracting Party, whom it may consider undesirable.

2. If a national of the State of one Contracting Party, who is a holder of a diplomatic passport, loses the passport in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party, the diplomatic Mission or Consulate concerned in the host country shall be informed. The diplomatic Mission or Consulate concerned shall issue a new passport or travel document to its national and inform the authorities concerned of the host Government.

Article 4
Passports Validity

The duration of diplomatic passports of nationals of the State of either Contracting Party shall be valid for at least 6 (six) months on the date of entry into the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party.

Article 5
Applicability of Local/National Laws

1. Nationals of the State of either Contracting Party, being holders of valid diplomatic passports shall abide by the laws and regulations in force in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party while crossing its frontier and throughout the duration of their stay in its territory.

2. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed as affecting the rights and obligations set out in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April, 1961 or the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April, 1963.

Article 6
Travel Documents

1. For the purposes of this Agreement, Contracting Parties shall exchange through diplomatic channels specimens of its valid diplomatic passports, including a detailed description of such documents currently used, within thirty (30) days after the date of signing of this Agreement.

2. Contracting Parties shall exchange through diplomatic channels, specimens of its new or modified passports, including a detailed description of such documents, at least thirty (30) days before they are introduced.

Article 7
Suspension

Both Contracting Parties reserve the right for reasons of security, public order or public health, to suspend temporarily, either in whole or in part, the implementation of this Agreement, which shall take effect thirty (30) days after a notification has been sent to the other Contracting Party through diplomatic channels. The suspension shall not affect the rights of nationals who have already entered the territory of the other Contracting Party.

Article 8
Amendments

Either Contracting Party may request in writing through diplomatic channels an amendment of the whole or part of this Agreement. Any amendment, which has been agreed to by the Contracting Parties, shall enter into force in accordance with procedures stipulated in paragraph 1 of Article 10 and shall form part of this Agreement.

Article 9
Dispute Settlement

Any difference or dispute arising out of the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultation or negotiation between the Contracting Parties without reference to any third party or an international tribunal.

Article 10
Entry into Force, Duration and Termination

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the last written notification through diplomatic channels by which the Contracting Parties notify each other that their internal legal procedures for the entry into force have been fulfilled.

2. This Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period of time and may be terminated by either Contracting Party by written notification sent to the other Contracting Party through diplomatic channels. The termination shall take effect ninety (90) days after the date of such notification. The termination shall not affect the rights of nationals who have already entered the territory of the other Contracting Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agreement.

DONE at Riga on this 23^rd day of May in the year two thousand seventeen in duplicate; each in Latvian, Hindi and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.