Security checks: US apologises to India’s ex-president for frisking
The United States has apologised to India’s former president APJ Abdul Kalam for subjecting him to frisking at New York’s JFK airport, an incident that had provoked sharp reactions from India which threatened retaliatory action, The Economic Times reported.
In a written apology to Kalam and the Indian government, the US said, “Appropriate procedure for expedited screening of dignitaries had not been followed.”
“We deeply regret the inconvenience that resulted for him (Kalam) as a result of the September 29 incident involving the security screening at JFK airport in New York,” a statement from the US Embassy in New Delhi said, noting that it had the utmost respect for Kalam.
They also said that US was actively working to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Taking serious note of the incident, India had threatened retaliatory action with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna directing Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao to take up the matter in writing at the “highest level” with Washington.
The US said that subsequent to the frisking incident, US Charge d’ Affairs Peter Burleigh personally hand delivered a letter from the US Transportation Security Administrator to Kalam and a similar letter was delivered to the government of India regretting the incident.
Maintaining that it “deeply values and appreciates” the strong relationship and partnership with India, the US said, “We are confident that despite this regrettable incident, we will continue working closely with India in the many areas of our strategic partnership”.
Kalam, 80, was frisked in New York on September 29 before boarding an Air India flight. Sources said that even after Kalam had taken his seat in the aircraft, the US security personnel forced the crew to open the door and took away the jacket and boots of the former president to check for explosives since they had forgotten to do so before his boarding. The items were later returned to Kalam.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2011.
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@ur reality is ........:
Forget the neighborhood, would you kindly name one country in this world which likes Pakistan?
This proves only two things, either the US government does this on purpose or they have the worst intel service in the world. they claim to know about terroristes in the remote caves of Afghanistan bit don't know a ex Indian President. And we accept their dumb apologies.
Man, you people need to chill, the TSA were only doing their jobs, according to rules and regulations, everyone should go thru the same mode of security check. If I can go thru it, than why can't the President...Welcome to the real world, this ain't no Karan Johar production..
It was a much regrettable incident and I hope the damage wasn't irreparable. Mr. Kalam has to understand that in the West all countries function in a bottom up manner. It means employees in the public sector are expected to rely on their judgement and abilities to carry out their duties. Once in a while when somebody makes a mistake, like in this case, the top echelon jumps in to correct it.
The Macedonians, the Romans, the Islamic conquerors, the Mongols and the British....all got to eat their humble pies in time. US will taste it too it's a matter of when not a matter of if. We Indians have survived these "Super powers" to know that they never raise again. History being our witness.
Fact check: When's the last time Italy decisively won a war since the collapse of the (Holy) Roman Empire?
@A.Khan; We might be an outsourced or a banana country but we are NOT a terrorists sponsored and a failed country, begging to feed yourselves.
I used to do this very Job at JFK, and this is extremely unusual for security personnel to go in the plane and recheck anybody who has already been checked at the checkpoint, and then in the plane, very disrespectful, good that they have apologized
@Cautious: Good so that pretty much means India should and ought to put the Pakistani Prime Minister and Foreign minister through such ordeal!!!
Where is Rob Schnider when you need him? He could've just stood there and smelled people out. After the US has applogized the only things that can be done now are a reciprocal tit for tat gesture by India (highly unlikely) or the US can educate its airport staff or feed in the names of the dignitarys who are exempted from strip search, into the computers.
@ur reality is ........: Name one democratic country in the world that does not consider Pakistan to be a terrorism sponsor.
@A.Khan: You are yet another proof of why Pakistan is in the state it is. Common people with the thoughts of stone age!
@ashok sai: You are reffering to Pakistan now while posting a comment on a Pakistani news website. Well, everyone knows India's economy stands on USA. Without them India would be the same as it was ten years ago. Ok, you are not a client, not a banana republic but an outsourced country, is that it? Just another extention of above two.
@Naseer Hussain: "Kalam was not only frisked,he was looked down upon with contempt and that shows their mentality." All thanks to you! @Arindom: "India must retaliate by strip-searching Hillary Clinton next time she is in India!!!!" Are you sure Pakistani mentality has not rubbed on you? No, India does not do that to guests! "Atithi Devo Bhava", remember? We do not stoop to banality if we can help it!
@antanu:
Leave those things, we all pretty well know, you are not an Indian.
@gk:
I have a very great regard for him and also he is from my state and speaking my language, I am a great fan of his poetry too, I cannot express, how much I love and adore him. I take back my acceptance, cheers.
APJ Abdul Kalam is a real icon of India, not just ex-President. India must retaliate by strip-searching Hillary Clinton next time she is in India!!!!
Latest gesture by US is to only woo India to fill the vaccum in Afghanistan after its pull out in 2014. They are preparing an scapegoat which is bound to be a VIETNAM for India.We must be cautious of US designs. TUS has never been a friend to anyone but to its ulterior motives which it calls national interest.
@ashok sai:
ha,, how can you say that?? its no one but Abdul Kalam, don't you know who is he?? apology not accepted- let it be there
And what about the insult meted out to Mr.George Fernandes former Defence Minister...who was insulted at US airport? Is there any apology?
this is not fair,, anything against Kalam should be taken very seriously,, this is an insult to every Indian.. we should deal these kind of doings very very seriously. Apology not accepted.
@ur reality is ........: Its fine if no neighbor likes you. What about your country where every one hates.
Once insulted, we (India) can do very little to salvage our pride. The retaliation is more for public consumption than for real action. . US is both the economic and military super power. We have to live with it, more or less.
America has reverted back to that age when "DOGS AND COLORED PEOPLE WERE NOT ALLOWED " to enter some hotels in their southern states.Kalam was not only frisked,he was looked down upon with contempt and that shows their mentality.
Even Shahrukh Khan was searched because he is "Khan". US normally does extensive scrutiny on anyone who has MUSLIM name, like even Kamal Hassan (Indian actor) although he is not muslim. What is sad here is that Kalam is an ex-president of India, so its really shameful.
And the air India staff were stupid even when he was seated? Idiocy has no end.
Good that the US understood our tone, 'retaliate', we meant it and you know well we are not a banana republic or one of your client state like our neighbour to the west. Apology accepted.