(1) On the arrival of a fleet, flotilla, squadron, or ship at a foreign port, the first visit shall be made by the naval or consular officer who is subordinate in rank to the other, according to the following scale: -
(a) Consuls General . . . To rank with but after Rear-Admirals.
(b) Consuls . . . . To rank with, but after Captains.
(c) Vice-Consults . . . To rank with, but after Lieutenant-Commanders.
(d) Consular Agents . . . To rank with, but after Lieutenants.
(2) The Officer-in-Charge of a consular post during the absence of the titular incumbent shall take for the time being the rank of that incumbent.
51. Presidents or Governors-General of the Fully Self-Governing Countries of the Commonwealth- (1) The Presidents or Governors-General of the fully self-governing countries of the common wealth shall receive a visit from the senior officer in command of an Indian Naval ship or squadron visiting a port where the President or Governor-General is present. Return visits shall not be paid.
(2) Governors, Commissioners, Administrators and Army and Air Force Officers.- The following procedure in regard to the interchange of visits between Naval officers and Governors, Administrators, and the like, and officers in command of Army and Air Force shall be observed.
(a) Official visits shall be exchanged-
(i) On the arrival of one or more of Indian Naval Ships at a port at which the Governor, administrator or Commissioner is present - between him and the Senior Officer in command of the squadron or ship.
(ii) On the first arrival at a port of a Flag Officer or Commodore flying his Broad Pendant since taking up his appointment – between him and the Governor, Administrator or Commissioner.
(iii) On a Governor, Administrator or Commissioner, newly appointed, assuming office- between him and all Flag Officers and Commodores flying their Broad Pendants, present
(b) Visits: How to be paid-
(i) A Governor shall always receive the first visit from the Senior Officer in command of the squadron or ship.
(ii) An Administrator or Commissioner shall pay the first visit to all Flag Officers and Commodores flying their Broad Pendants, but shall receive the visit in all other cases.
(iii) Naval, Army and Air Force Officers.- Exchange of visits shall be on the basis that the junior officers will pay the first visit to the senior officer. In the case of officers of equivalent ranks the same principles shall apply, but in the case of officers of the same seniority the officer last arriving at the port shall pay the first visit.
(iv) Priority of Visit.- When an officer has to pay a series of visits to been laid down, and they shall be mutually Arranged to suit the convenience of the officials concerned.
(c) Return Visits: To be paid within twenty-four hours-
(i) A Governor shall return in person visits of all Flag Officers and Commodores flying their Broad Pendants.
(ii) An Administrator or Commissioner shall do so in person to all Captains.
(iii) A Flag Officer or Commodore flying his Broad Pendant shall do so in person to all Administrators or Commissioners.
(iv) In all other cases the return visit shall be paid by an Aide-de-Camp or other officer deputed.
(v) All Flag Officers and Commodores shall return in person visits of Colonels and Group Captains, and those of superior rank; they shall send a Captain or Commander to return the visits of Lieutenant Colonels, Wing Commanders, or other officers in command.
(vi) Captains and officers of lower rank in command of Indian Naval Ships shall return in person the visits of Lieutenant –Colonels, Wing Commanders, Major and Squadron Leaders.
(d) Inability to Visit.- Should the Governor, or any other officer administering the Government find that, from indisposition or pressure of important business he is unable to return or pay a visit in person, he shall depute his Aide-de-Camp or some other officer to do so.
In like manner, should a Flag Officer or Commodore flying his Broad Pendant, from indisposition or pressing occupation, be precluded from paying or returning a visit, he shall depute his Flag Lieutenant or other officer not below that rank to do so. In each case, the officer failing to pay the required visit in person shall report the circumstances and assign the reasons, which led to the omission to the department under which he is acting.
(e) Acting Officers.- Officers acting temporarily in higher civil offices or commands shall, in respect of these visits, be upon the same footing as if they were confirmed in such offices or commands.
(f) Boats for Visits.- The senior Officer present shall arrange, when necessary, to provide a suitable boat to enable the Diplomatic, or Consular Officer to pay any official visits afloat, and to take him ashore on the officer notifying his wishes to that effect.
Explanation.- The term ‘Governor’ in this Regulation includes, ‘Lieutenant Governor’.
SECTION VIII.- DISTINGUISHING FLAGS AND PENDANTS OF NAVAL AUTHORITIES