Time to get over past tensions and move on: US

Manny Encarnacion, a New York police department officer, was arrested at New Delhi airport on March 11 for possessing bullets

The US has said it was time to get past the recent tensions with India and the two sides should move on, days after the arrest of an American police officer at New Delhi airport for possessing bullets.

“We’ve said we want to get past some of the tensions that have been there over the past several months and move on,” state department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said.

She was responding to questions about the arrest of New York police department officer Manny Encarnacion, 49, at New Delhi airport on March 11 for possessing three bullets.

“We can’t get into the specific case because of privacy considerations,” she told reporters.

“I think we feel like we've moved past this and hope the Indians have as well,” Harf said, adding that is a very close and a trusted partner. “I can’t share any more about this individual because of the privacy concerns,” she added.

New York Congressman Peter King has termed the arrest of Encarnacion as “politically motivated” in response to the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and has asked the State Department to seek the release of the officer.

Encarnacion has been charged with violating the Indian Arms Act of 1959 and faces up to seven years in prison. He is forbidden from leaving India till his case has been settled in court. His next court appearance is on April 17.

“I write to express my grave concern over the arrest and pending prosecution of New York police department officer Manny Encarnacion in India,” King said in a letter dated April 4 to Secretary of State John Kerry.

He said Encarnacion is being prosecuted for “unwittingly” having spare bullets in his luggage. King said bullets being found with Encarnacion was an “innocent mistake”.

“This excessive act by the Indian government is clearly politically motivated in response to the arrest of India’s then deputy consul general in December 2013 in New York for alleged visa fraud,” King wrote in the letter.

“From all accounts this was the result of an innocent mistake. It is critical that the State Department intervene in this situation and request that the Indian government release him and permit him to return to the US,” the Republican Representative from Long Island said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said he is “troubled” by Encarnacion’s detention and hoped that the police personnel would be treated fairly by Indian officials. “Obviously we want to know a lot more about what’s going on,” he said.

“But so far, from what I’m hearing, I’m troubled by it and I want to make sure we’re providing support to him and make sure he’s not being treated unfairly.”