US diplomat asked to leave in 3 days: Khurshid on Devyani Khobragade row

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday said India has given three days to the American diplomat, who was asked to leave in retaliation to the treatment meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade,

He also added that the concerned diplomat, who is of the same rank as Khobragade, would not be forcefully expelled.

"We have given three days to them. The official will leave accordingly. It is a part of the process that when you tell a diplomat to leave, then they leave. There is no pressure on the diplomat."

A U.S. diplomat, who is believed to be deeply involved in manipulating the case against Khobragade, has also been expelled and asked to leave in 48 hours, in retaliation against the arrest, humiliation and expulsion of Khobragade.

"When some incident like this happens, then you investigate the matter...you analyse it thoroughly, and then, if it is not in India's interest that someone is staying here, then we advise them to leave," he added.

Reacting to the month long standoff between India and the U.S, Khurshid said, "There was a point of contention and we have tried to find solution to it. We have been able to resolve most of it, and are trying best to solve the rest also."

Devyani Khobragade, 39, who was India's deputy consul-general in New York, was arrested in December on charges of visa fraud and lying to U.S. authorities about what she paid her housekeeper. Khobragade's arrest and strip-search provoked protests in India and dealt a serious blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen ties.

On Friday, Khobragade returned to India following a deal that let her leave the United States after being indicted by a federal grand jury.