In a perceptible hardening of stand against the US, India on Christmas eve rejected the American embassy’s request for an extension on IDs for its consulate officials. With the deadline for surrender of these cards ending on Monday, India withdrew all identity cards of US consulate officials.
The move to issue fresh IDs came days after the arrest of senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on visa fraud charges involving her domestic staff, Sangeeta Richard.
In a related development, Kuoni Business Travels, a popular travel agent in Delhi, will face action from the government for issuing tax-free air tickets to the Richards family bought by the US embassy. The ‘tax-exemption’ applies only to diplomats and not to Indian citizens.
The Richards’ ticket — PNR number H1XJ3 — was paid for by MasterCard. The endorsement reads “JNTAXEXEMPTEDUSEMBASSY”. The US embassy spirited away the Richards in a way that has incensed New Delhi.
Sources said US diplomats in consular posts would get a new set of cards that are an exact replica of the cards issued to Indian diplomats in the US. The cards, which would be given to consulate officials and not their families, (unlike earlier) reflects the reciprocity India has been insisting on. The cards will say on the reverse that consulate officials have no immunity against felony charges. US has four consulates in India). The hardening of stand by the government is contrary to the almost conciliatory tone taken by foreign minister Salman Khurshid in his interactions with journalists. Sources said the US government was trying to stall or delay the actions that they had to take.
Meanwhile, keeping security considerations in mind, the government has changed some traffic movement patterns near the US embassy. Sources said, “All US diplomatic and consular officials are being provided security as before. No changes have been made in security status of US embassy in New Delhi and the security personnel remain deployed at check posts there.”
The move to issue fresh IDs came days after the arrest of senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on visa fraud charges involving her domestic staff, Sangeeta Richard.
In a related development, Kuoni Business Travels, a popular travel agent in Delhi, will face action from the government for issuing tax-free air tickets to the Richards family bought by the US embassy. The ‘tax-exemption’ applies only to diplomats and not to Indian citizens.
The Richards’ ticket — PNR number H1XJ3 — was paid for by MasterCard. The endorsement reads “JNTAXEXEMPTEDUSEMBASSY”. The US embassy spirited away the Richards in a way that has incensed New Delhi.
Sources said US diplomats in consular posts would get a new set of cards that are an exact replica of the cards issued to Indian diplomats in the US. The cards, which would be given to consulate officials and not their families, (unlike earlier) reflects the reciprocity India has been insisting on. The cards will say on the reverse that consulate officials have no immunity against felony charges. US has four consulates in India). The hardening of stand by the government is contrary to the almost conciliatory tone taken by foreign minister Salman Khurshid in his interactions with journalists. Sources said the US government was trying to stall or delay the actions that they had to take.
Meanwhile, keeping security considerations in mind, the government has changed some traffic movement patterns near the US embassy. Sources said, “All US diplomatic and consular officials are being provided security as before. No changes have been made in security status of US embassy in New Delhi and the security personnel remain deployed at check posts there.”
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