Khobragade arrest: India launches massive diplomatic backlash

Indian govt hits back through 7 measures to express its displeasure

In a move that could have significant implications on Indo-US relations, a furious New Delhi announced a host of retaliatory measures to put the United States in its place for the alleged ill-treatment of an Indian consular official in New York.  

Amongst these are: 
 

1. The immunity US embassy and consular staff enjoy will now be limited.

2. The government has asked for details of salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the US consulates, including by consulate officers and families, such as domestic help.

3. All  airport passes for US diplomats - both from Embassy and Consulates – have been cancelled, which means Americans employed by their diplomatic missions will not be able to walk into the immigration areas to receive family and other visitors arriving in Indian cities.

 

4. Visa and other details of all teachers at US schools and salary and bank accounts of those of Indians in these schools have been sought by the Indian government – to check if any American teachers are violating India’s visa policy.

5. The Identity Cards of consulate personnel and their families have been recalled.

6. All import clearances for the US including for the import of liquor have been stopped.

7. Traffic barriers around the US embassy in Delhi – put up as a courtesy measure for US embassy staff but a serious inconvenience for Indians – have been removed.

 

It remains to be seen if the US will hit back and slow down visa clearances to those wishing to visit the United States. This could mean a delay in travel plans.

 

Meanwhile, a Congressional delegation currently in India found access to political leaders seriously impeded. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister SK Shinde and others cancelled meetings with the delegation in protest against the treatment meted out to Consular officer Devayani Khobragade who was arrested, strip-searched and incarcerated in the same cell as a drug addict. 
 

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said: "The media has reported that we have issued visas to a number of US diplomats' companions. Companions means that they are of the same sex. Now, after the Supreme Court ruling (on gay sex verdict), it is completely illegal in our country. Just as paying lower was illegal in the US. So, why doesn't the Government of India go ahead and arrest all of them. Put them behind bars, prosecute them in this country and punish them?"

 

If the Khobragade issue is not resolved, there is a chance that India could escalate the pressure: although there is no comparison between a US minimum wage and an Indian minimum wage, US officials could find themselves in a humilating position if India made public how little they pay the Indians they employ as domestic help, like drivers, housekeepers and cooks. India is still treated as a hardship posting by the State Department and the US officials earn a host of allowances when they are posted here – but Indians are employed at significantly lower salaries.

 

A few years ago, a US defence contractor in Pakistan, Raymond Davis, shot and killed two Pakistanis and was arrested and lodged in a Pakistani jail. It took President Barack Obama’s personal intervention to secure his release. The US threatened and coerced Pakistan into dropping the charges of murder against Davis, who was not even on the US consular staff. India is proving, ahead of a general election, that it has no intention of being another Pakistan and allowing the US to walk all over it.