October 05, 2007

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines 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 countries to strengthen their friendly relations, and

DESIRING to facilitate the entry of the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines and the citizens of the Republic of India, who are holders of diplomatic or official passports into their respective countries,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1

Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of India, as well as their spouses, children and dependent parents, holding valid diplomatic and official passports, shall enter into, transit through or stay in the territory of the other country without visas.

ARTICLE 2

Citizens of either Contracting Parties shall be allowed to stay within the territory of the other Contracting Party for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. This period of stay may be extended at their request subject to the consent of the competent authorities of the receiving Contracting Party.

ARTICLE 3

The Contracting Parties shall exchange, through diplomatic channels, their respective valid passport specimens within thirty (30) days after the entry into force of this Agreement The Contracting Parties shall inform each other about the introduction of new types and classification of passports, as well as change or modification to those currently in use and shall furnish each other relevant specimens at least thirty (30) days prior to their use.

ARTICLE 4

Notwithstanding the exemption from obtaining entry visa under this Agreement, it is the duty of persons benefiting therefrom to comply with the laws and regulations of the receiving Contracting Party regarding entry into, stay in and exit from the receiving Contracting Party.

ARTICLE 5

Each Contracting Party reserves the right to refuse entry to persons regarded as persona non-grata or considered as undesirable and to terminate the stay of such persons on its territory after they have been permitted entry.

ARTICLE 6

Either Contracting Party may, for reasons of public order, security or health, temporarily suspend in whole or in part, the implementation of this Agreement. Such suspension and the lifting of the suspension shall be notified through diplomatic channels to the other Contracting Party at least fifteen (15) days prior to their taking effect.

ARTICLE 7

Citizens of either Contracting Party holding valid diplomatic or official passports who are appointed to work in a diplomatic mission or consular post in the receiving Contracting Party, including their spouses, children and dependent parents holding valid diplomatic or official passports, shall not be required to secure diplomatic or official visas to enter the territory of the other Contracting Party. Within thirty (30) days upon arrival, they shall be issued multiple-entry diplomatic or official visas for the period of their official stay upon request from the diplomatic mission or consular post concerned subject to the consent of the competent authorities of the receiving Contracting Party.

ARTICLE 8

Any dispute between the Contracting parties arising out of or relating to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by consultations or negotiations.

ARTICLE 9

Any amendment or revision to the text of this Agreement shall be done by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties. The amendment or revision shall enter into force in accordance with Article 10 of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 10

This agreement shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the later written notification by the Contracting Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.

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

DONE at New Delhi on this 5th day of October 2007 in two (2) originals; in English and Hindi languages, all texts being equally authentic. In the event of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES	FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA
Secretary of Foreign Affairs	Minister of External Affairs
(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO	(Sgd.) PRANAB MUKHERJEE