Brussels, 21 September 1973 The Republic of INDIA
AND
The Kingdom of BELGIUM
INSPIRED by a common desire to establish and develop closer cultural relations and
DESIROUS of promoting and developing in every possible manner such relations and understanding between India and Belgium, specially
in the realm of culture, art,science, technology and education,
HAVE DECIDED to conclude an Agreement for cultural, scientific and technical cooperation and for that purpose, have nominated their
respective plenipotentiaries i.e.
For the Government of of Republic of India : Ambassador of India
For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium : Minister of Foreign Affairs
WHO, after having exchanged their credentials and found them in good and due form
HAVE agreed as follows :
Article 1
The Contracting Parties shall facilitate and encourage cooperation between universities and other institutions of higher education,
technical, artistic, secondary and teachers training schools, scientific and artistic associations, academies, museums and libraries
in the two countries.
Article 2
The Contracting Parties shall exchange university professors and teachers in higher educational institutions and members of scientific
bodies.
Article 3
The Contracting Parties undertake to encourage exchange of books, magazines and publications of literary, artistic, cultural, educational
and scientific nature between universities, academies, libraries and other educational, scientific and cultural organisations.
Article 4
Each Contracting Party shall endeavour to step up the exchange of scholarships to enable the nationals of either country to pursue
their studies or research work and to complete their scientific, educational, technical and artistic training in the other country.
Article 5
Each Contracting Parties shall examine on what conditions and to what extent the equivalence of diplomas and academic grades and
other certificates obtained in the territory of the other Party can be recognized.
In addition, the Parties shall examine to what extent partial equivalence can be accorded to studies undertaken in the other Party's
territory.
Article 6
The Contracting Parties shall encourage the reciprocal visits of professors, educationists, writers, artists and other experts for
study tours, delivering lectures and participation in conferences, congresses, seminars and important cultural and artistic events.
Article 7
The Contracting Parties shall afford in their respective countries all possible facilities to scientists, research workers and scientific
and educational delegations from the other Contracting Party in order to help them in their studies and researches, particularly
by giving them access to educational institutions, pedagogic institutes, laboratories, libraries, archieves and museums.
Article 8
The Contracting Parties shall encourage dissemination of knowledge of each other’s culture through radio, press, television films
and similar other channels of mass media.
Article 9
The Contracting Parties shall grant each other necessary assistance for the organisation in their respective countries of concerts,
ballet, theatrical, performances, art, scientific and technical exhibitions by the other Party.
Article 10
The Contracting Parties shall encourage cooperation between their recognised youth organisations and the organisations for adult
education. They will facilitate exchanges in the field of physical education and sports.
Article 11
The Contracting Parties shall endeavour through all means in their power and subject to the laws in each country to ensure that text-books
do not contain any misrepresentation about the country of the other Party.
Article 12
The Contracting Parties shall encourage the translation, publication and diffusion of scientific, technical, artistic and literary
works of authors of the other Party. They shall facilitate the publication, in their own specialised reviews of articles of scientific
and cultural nature dealing with the other party.
Article 13
Each Contracting Party shall welcome the creation of cultural institutes for educational and cultural purposes on its territory subject
to the laws and regulations in force.
Article 14
The Contracting Parties shall encourage initiatives undertaken to develop tourism between the two countries with a view to promoting
better understanding between them and strengthen their friendship.
Article 15
1. For the fulfillment of the objective of the present Agreement, a permanent Indo-Belgian Commission consisting of ten members shall
be constituted.
2. The five Belgian members of the Permanent Commission shall be nominated by the Ministers incharge of National Education and Culture
with the concurrence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The five Members shall be appointed by the Government of India.
3. The Permanent Commission shall meet at least once every two years, alternatively in India and Belgium.
4. The objects of the Commission will be :
(a) To keep under periodical review the working of the Agreement;
(b) To advise the Governments on the detailed manner of carrying out the Agreement;
(c) To formulate cultural, scientific and educational exchange programmes and reviewing their progress;
(d) To recommend to the Party concerned any items of interest to either Party in the fields within the scope of the Agreement; and
(e) Generally to advise the Government concerned as to the manner in which the working of the Agreement may be improved upon.
5. The Permanent Commission may invite experts to attend its meetings in an advisory capacity.
Article 16
The present Agreement shall come into force on the date of exchange of the instruments of ratification, to take place at New Delhi
and shall remain in force until the expiry of six months from the date on which either of the Contracting Parties shall give notice
in writing to its intention to terminate the Agreement.
In case of termination, the position enjoyed by various beneficiaries shall continue till the end of the year then running and in
the case of scholars, till the end of the academic year then running.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Plenipotentiaries authorised, therefore, have signed the present Agreement and affixed their seals thereon.
DONE at Brussels on the 30th day of Bhadra the Saka Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-five corresponding to the 21st day
of September One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-three in eight originals, two each in Hindi, Dutch, French and English languages,
each text being equally authentic.
For the Government of India For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium
Sd/- Sd/-
Ambassador of India Minister of Foreign Affairs
