Devyani Khobragade case on backburner, US poised to irretrievably lose unilateral privileges

[thestringshredder]

Devyani Khobragade case on backburner, US poised to irretrievably lose unilateral privileges

WASHINGTON: In the annals of diplomatic exchanges across the world, it has long been understood that the United States will get more consular and protocol privileges than it will give to other countries. After all, the argument went, the US has the world's largest diplomatic corps, does more outreach, and its personnel face greater danger abroad than those from any other country. So if Americans demand greater security, easier access, more privileges in New Delhi or Islamabad or Kabul than it would give to diplomatic counterparts from these countries in Washington or New York, it was accepted without question — because it was reasoned that US diplomats faced more dangers and difficulties abroad than foreign diplomats did in the United States.

Someone in the US diplomatic service didn't apparently get this memo, and didn't quite understand and appreciate this aspect of foreign policy engagement. Their "foolish" overreach and "law and order" approach in the case of Devyani Khobragade, the Indian diplomat who is in the dock in New York for allegedly stiffing her housekeeper, will result in a drastic and "unfortunate" reassessment of US privileges that the American diplomatic corps will find unpleasant, going by conversations with Indian diplomats and officials who have stood up in anger at what they see as a vindictive singling out of their colleague in New York.

The officials, all of who spoke only on background, refuted the US suggestion that they were being vengeful towards the US diplomatic corps and endangering the US embassy by explaining the context behind the removal of traffic barriers around the US embassy in New Delhi, ostensibly in retaliation for the treatment meted out their colleague in New York. The barriers, they said, had been installed several years back in the teeth of opposition from several other embassies nearby (notably the French and Swedish) which complained it constrained them. They were done as a special consideration for the Americans, despite the fact that the US side had turned down similar reciprocal requests from the Indian side. A decision to remove the barriers was taken several weeks back when the US side removed a diplomatic parking lane in front of the Indian embassy in Washington DC (that also served as security perimeter) and turned it into public parking.

While the action to remove traffic barriers in New Delhi coincided with the diplomatic spat, Indian officials made no secret of their desire to see a level playing field in what many of them see as an iniquitous distribution of privileges. One aspect that has caused much rancor, besides the larger issue of diplomatic immunity to consular officials, is the treatment of Indian diplomats at US airports (some of whom have been subjected to special pat downs because of their attire) compared to their US counterparts in India who breeze through with special security clearance. It's another matter - and one the Indian diplomatic corps chooses to gloss over - that the prevalent VIP culture in India is an enabler of such special treatment, which the US side says they does not insist on, except where there are security considerations.

It is the same culture that the US side believes has resulted in the Khobragade imbroglio. They see in the episode a sense of entitlement on part of the elite Indian Foreign Service. But the Indian diplomatic corps believe the issue is much larger — it is the sense of US entitlement that its diplomats be treated differently abroad than it would treat foreign diplomats in the US. The Khobragade case, one official explained, is illustrative of a larger malaise, reeling off instances where the US insisted on full diplomatic immunity to its personnel involved in egregious offenses, while in the Khobragade case "elevating what was a simple wage dispute to a human trafficking case." Also at stake in the case is the primacy of each country's legal-judicial system. Since the judicial process in the dispute between the diplomat and the housekeeper had already ticked off in India, US authorities should have respected the process.

So some two weeks after the two sides got embroiled in a diplomatic spat involving Khobragade and her troubles with a disgruntled housekeeper, the stand-off is no closer to resolution. On one side there is unabated rancor, resentment, and dismay. On the other side: surprise, stony silence, and indifference. In fact, the matter has gone off the boil with many US officials central to resolving the crisis going off on vacation in the holiday season even as the Indian embassy in Washington is having a changeover with the arrival of the new ambassador S Jaishankar.

The new envoy had initial meetings with the State Department soon after he reached Washington DC but the only thing that has emerged after the first engagement is that there is a yawning gap in perception between the two sides that will not be easily or quickly bridged. The US side is said to be mystified by the Indian "over-reaction" and would like the episode to be move out of the headlines before any attempt can be made to disentangle the issue from the legal and judicial quagmire where it has been thrown into. The Indian side is equally astonished at the bureaucratic approach and political indifference to the matter, which they say has thrown sand in the bilateral relationship which may be hard to remove.

What is emerging clearly from the episode is that the United States diplomatic corps is poised to irretrievably lose many of the unilateral privileges it had in India, a special dispensation that the Indian side had accepted quietly because they had been instituted for historical reasons - such as the commissary that sold duty-free western goods to embassy personnel and the American school attached to the mission. Stung by the Khobragade episode, the Indian side has made it clear everything will now come under the lens.

Link - Devyani Khobragade case on backburner, US poised to irretrievably lose unilateral privileges - The Times of India

 

[Solomon2]

As for the excess "privileges" U.S. diplomatic & consular staffs in India might lose, I doubt this Administration cares.

 

[airuah]

As for the excess "privileges" U.S. diplomatic & consular staffs in India might lose, I doubt this Administration cares.

Really , then why did nancy powel cancel her trip to nepal?....

 

[Solomon2]

Really , then why did nancy powel cancel her trip to nepal?....

India is fully within its rights to stick to the letter of the Convention. It can't even be held against India that India tightened procedures in response to a U.S. tightening up of law enforcement.

However, I doubt it's the U.S. that is hurt by this. The injury is going to be to Indians who are trying to do business with the U.S. much more than the other way 'round. (Of course, the Nepalese don't like it either, but will they blame India for this or the U.S.?)

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Let it go already its not like she was raped , she was just stripped searched big deal and that too because she was in for fraud... what do you think they see when you stand in that xray machine ? Bugs bunny

They just did not had that machine so they just did a quick search

 

[Manindra]

Let it go already its not like she was raped , she was just stripped searched big deal and that too because she was in for fraud... what do you think they see when you stand in that xray machine ? Bugs bunny

They just did not had that machine so they just did a quick search

There is no facility of 'Blood Money' in India, you have cut what you had sow.

 

[OrionHunter]

It's another matter - and one the Indian diplomatic corps chooses to gloss over - that the prevalent VIP culture in India is an enabler of such special treatment.

Right! Like Robert Vadhra who has unfettered privileges at airports in India who's name figures in the huge list of VIPs being afforded undue privileges not only at Indian airports but other places as well.

Our slave mentality of boot-licking the VIPs and gora sahibs seems part of our DNA.

 

[shiv]

India is fully within its rights to stick to the letter of the Convention. It can't even be held against India that India tightened procedures in response to a U.S. tightening up of law enforcement.

However, I doubt it's the U.S. that is hurt by this. The injury is going to be to Indians who are trying to do business with the U.S. much more than the other way 'round. (Of course, the Nepalese don't like it either, but will they blame India for this or the U.S.?)

Care to tell how India's business will be hurt ?

You know how much the maid was getting paid ? INR 30k. Now when converted to dollars its pretty less but thats what IT guys in services based companies like Infosys and TCS gets to take home.

On top of that her food and lodging was fully covered..the thing which costs the most in US.

You guys keep harping that the maid was tortured and shit but with all the proofs india will show when the case goes to court will only show the US high handedness ..

 

[indiatester]

These privileges are stupid. Apart from an ego boost, they serve no real purpose. I don't understand why our diplomats want them and assume that they will hurt the Americans.
All I hear are the following
1) Security checks at airports
2) Parking
3) Taxes on Liquor and other inconsequential imports

 

[SrNair]

Right! Like Robert Vadhra who has unfettered privileges at airports in India who's name figures in the huge list of VIPs being afforded undue privileges not only at Indian airports but other places as well.

Our slave mentality of boot-licking the VIPs and gora sahibs seems part of our DNA.

Dont be that emotional man.We Indians know the unjustified privileges goes to robert vadra.But officers in the duty in airports must obey orders from higher class.That idiot now get that privileges because his wife mother is in rule.If government changes then it will all change.

 

[Solomon2]

Care to tell how India's business will be hurt ?

I think it's more important to Indians to seek admittance to the U.S., or seek to transfer assets to and from the U.S., than it is to Americans that they can easily travel to or do business with India.

You know how much the maid was getting paid ? INR 30k.

Treaty obligates Indian consuls to conform to U.S. labor laws when employing their own domestics.

On top of that her food and lodging was fully covered..

India was notified over two years ago that such "freebies" can't count towards salary.

Indeed, one NY-based U.N. ambassador I know keeps a tiny apartment for himself in Manhattan and sends his wife and son to live in the suburbs outside of New York City, just to keep himself within permitted expenses. And his country is not poor. Now I read Indians claiming that the expense of keeping a maid in a Manhattan apartment in an expensive neighborhood should be counted against her salary? When other countries' ambassadors can't afford to keep their wife and kids in Manhattan, Indians think they should have the right to maintain slaved maids in a Manhattan apartment instead?

Forget a moment how India appears to Americans and think how India now looks to other countries in the "non-aligned movement", "Third World", etc.

You guys keep harping that the maid was tortured -

You're the first person I know of to use the "T" word.

 

[shiv]

I think it's more important to Indians to seek admittance to the U.S., or seek to transfer assets to and from the U.S., than it is to Americans that they can easily travel to or do business with India.

So you are saying that since India brought down the level of freebies to min permitted levels, you guys will take it down a notch further in response ? Talking about VIP and entitlement culture ..

Treaty obligates Indian consuls to conform to U.S. labor laws when employing their own domestics.

India was notified over two years ago that such "freebies" can't count towards salary.

Indeed, one NY-based U.N. ambassador I know keeps a tiny apartment for himself in Manhattan and sends his wife and son to live in the suburbs outside of New York City, just to keep himself within permitted expenses. And his country is not poor. Now I read Indians claiming that the expense of keeping a maid in a Manhattan apartment in an expensive neighborhood should be counted against her salary? When other countries' ambassadors can't afford to keep their wife and kids in Manhattan, Indians think they should have the right to maintain slaved maids in a Manhattan apartment instead?

Use terms like slaved maid and whatnot to caress your ego ! Either the case would go south or thrown out during arraignment. Not because we want to but the merit of the case demands. Its moot though to explain the details cause you guys are already throwing around bonded labour and other terms like punch lines .. So I will pass this chance to explain to you !

Just a heads up though .. You think this is the first time maids and helps are being brought from India or for that matter any Asian country ? Its an obvious fact that none of the asian country's counsel are paying their maid the stipulated amount .. The sudden act of grandstanding is what bewilders me !

[/quote]

Forget a moment how India appears to Americans and think how India now looks to other countries in the "non-aligned movement", "Third World", etc.

India's reaction would have seemed over the top and impulsive but lets wait for the arraignment. They can change their notions that time !

You're the first person I know of to use the "T" word.

Alleging human trafficking is worse than just physical torture ..

 

[Contrarian]

How is it slave labour @Solomon2
The maid was working off her own free will. She was not forced to work. She had the option of quitting anytime and would be provided a flight back home on Govt expenses.

Would you like me to post the definition of what constitutes slave labour?

 

[kaykay]

How is it slave labour @Solomon2
The maid was working off her own free will. She was not forced to work. She had the option of quitting anytime and would be provided a flight back home on Govt expenses.

Would you like me to post the definition of what constitutes slave labour?

Thats a typical US nature my friend. They can say whatever to satidfy their ego and no one can do anything about it. And you know the irony my friend? They talk alot about human rights after killing millions.

 

[Solomon2]

How is it slave labour @Solomon2...
Would you like me to post the definition of what constitutes slave labour?

Sure. Khobragade brought someone over from India to the U.S. with the deliberate, premeditated intent of paying her below the legal minimum wage for her services. That's human trafficking, which is considered a type of slave labor.

The U.N. and International Criminal Court class human trafficking as a "grave crime", thus Khobragade, as consul, carries no immunity from these laws.

I'll add that Khobragade made her offense worse by using her power as consul to revoke her employee's passport at the first sign of trouble, thus confirming that it was always Khobragade's intent to control her maid's movements.

Thats a typical US nature my friend. They can say whatever to satidfy their ego and no one can do anything about it. And you know the irony my friend? They talk alot about human rights after killing millions.

It would be nice if you were a bit slower to speak when you base your talk on ignorance and prejudice.