Treaty between the Governments of India and Afghanistan, ratified on 17 June 1809

        Whereas in consequence of the confederacy with the State of Persia, projected by the French for the purpose of invading the dominions of His Majesty the Ring of the Dooranees, and ultimately those of the British Government in India, the Hon'ble Mountstuart Elphinstone was despatched to the Court of His Majesty in quality of Envoy Plenipotentiary on the part of the Right Hon'ble Lord Minto, Governor-General, exercising the supreme authority over all affairs, civil, political, and military in the British possessions in the East Indies, for the purpose of concerting with His Majesty's Ministers the means of mutual defence against the expected invasion of the French and Persians, and whereas the said Ambassador having had the honor of being presented to His Majesty, and of explaining the friendly and beneficial object of his mission. His Majesty, sensible of the advantages of alliance and cooperation between the two States, for the purpose above described, directed his Ministers to confer with the Hon'ble Mountstuart Elphinstone and consulting the welfare of both States to conclude a friendly alliance, and certain Articles of Treaty having accordingly been agreed to between His Majesty's Ministers and the British Ambassador, and confirmed by the Royal Signet, a copy of the Treaty so framed has been transmitted by the Ambassador for the ratification of the Governor-General, who consenting to the stipulations therein contained without variation, a copy of those Articles as hereunder written is now returned, duly ratified by the seal and signature of the Governor-General and the signatures of the Members of the British Government in India, and the obligations upon both Governments both now and for ever shall be exclusively regulated and determined by the tenor of those Articles, which are as follows :

ARTICLE 1ST.

        As the French and Persians have entered into a confederacy against the State of Cabool, if they should wish to pass through the King's dominions, the servants of the Heavenly Throne shall prevent their passage, and exerting themselves to the extent of their power in making war on them and repelling them, shall not permit them to cross into British India.

ARTICLE 2ND.

        If the French and Persians in pursuance of their confederacy should advance towards the King of Cabool's country in a hostile manner, the British State, endeavouring heartily to repel them, shall hold themselves liable to afford the expenses necessary for the above-mentioned service to the extent of their ability. While the confederacy between the French and Persians continues in force, these Articles shall be in force and be acted on by both parties.

ARTICLE 3RD.

        Friendship and union shall continue for ever between these two States, the veil of separation shall be lifted up from between them, and they shall in no manner interfere in each other's countries, and the King of Cabool shall permit no individual of the French to enter his territories.

        The faithful servants of both States having agreed to this Treaty, the conditions of confirmation and ratification have been performed, and this document has been sealed and signed by the Right Hon'ble the Governor-General and the Honorable the Members of the Supreme British Government in India, this 17th day of June 1809, answering to the [blank in original] 1224 of the Hijree.

From: C. U. Aitchison, ed. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads: Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. XIII. Calcutta: Government of India Central Publication Branch, 1933, 233-234.