PARIKRAMA
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Devyani Khobragade sent home after hard negotiations, India expels US diplomat in tit-for-tat action
New Delhi/New York: Diplomat Devyani Khobragade flew back to India on Friday after a deal between the US and India in which she was indicted but granted diplomatic immunity from visa fraud charges. India has now expelled an American diplomat of similar rank from Delhi, in a sign of lingering bitterness between the two countries.
HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THIS STORY:
IANS
Official sources said the US embassy was "asked to withdraw forthwith a US diplomat of similar rank as Khobragade".
"We have reason to believe that the officer was closely involved in the processes related to the (Khobragade case) and the subsequent unilateral action by the US side," a source said.
The US embassy could not be immediately reached for comments. The name of the expelled American diplomat was not known.
New Delhi/New York: Diplomat Devyani Khobragade flew back to India on Friday after a deal between the US and India in which she was indicted but granted diplomatic immunity from visa fraud charges. India has now expelled an American diplomat of similar rank from Delhi, in a sign of lingering bitterness between the two countries.
HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THIS STORY:
- Hours after Devyani Khobragade took a flight back home, India asked the US to withdraw an officer from its New Delhi embassy. Sources say India accuses this officer of a role in the events leading up to the diplomat's arrest.
- Ms Khobragade's late night flight followed dramatic developments over 48 hours that saw hardball negotiations between India and the US, ending in an agreement whereby Devyani Khobragade left the country, armed with full diplomatic immunity from visa fraud charges, but will still face these charges if she returns.
- India rejected America's request to waive Ms Khobragade's immunity, after which she was asked to exit the country, leaving her two young children behind. They are likely to join her later. (read:India refuses US request to waive immunity)
- The 39-year-old diplomat was on Wednesday granted a G1 visa by the US, which gives her full diplomatic immunity. India had transferred her to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations to enable her G-visa, which is issued to foreign government representatives working in international organisations in the US.
- A US grand jury indicted her on Thursday on two counts, for visa fraud and making false statements to get a work visa for Sangeeta Richard, her housekeeper in New York. (Read: Indian diplomat arrested in US for alleged visa fraud)
- Before leaving for India, Ms Khobragade asserted that she was innocent. "All charges against me are false and baseless," she said. The diplomat said she was determined to ensure that the episode did not leave a lasting imprint on her family. (read: Devyani Khobragade's statement)
- Her father Uttam Khobragade said in Delhi, "Devyani was fighting to uphold the sovereignty of this country. When alternatives were offered she sacrificed the personal comfort."
- The BJP said bringing back Devyani Khobragade was India's defeat, as the charges against her will not be dropped.
- Ms Khobragade was arrested on December 12 while dropping her children off at school in New York, where she was serving as deputy consul general. She was strip searched and held with criminals, triggering a massive row with India unleashing retaliatory measures to downgrade the privileges of American diplomats. (Devyani Khobragade case: US embassy asked to stop commercial activities)
- Ms Khobragade's former domestic help Sangeeta Richard has made a statement justifying her allegations of exploitation. "I never thought that things would get so bad here, that I would work so much that I did not have time to sleep or eat or have time to myself. I would like to tell other domestic workers who are suffering as I did - you have rights and do not let anyone exploit you." Her statement was released by the anti-trafficking group Safe Horizon.
IANS
Official sources said the US embassy was "asked to withdraw forthwith a US diplomat of similar rank as Khobragade".
"We have reason to believe that the officer was closely involved in the processes related to the (Khobragade case) and the subsequent unilateral action by the US side," a source said.
The US embassy could not be immediately reached for comments. The name of the expelled American diplomat was not known.
nice move.
have the decency to accept the facts. Being Innocent and having political immunity are two different things. Just because you have immunity doesn't means you are innocent after committing crimes.
