The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
One can only watch with amusement as the diplomatic row continues between the US and India. On the one hand we have an Indian deputy consul general, Devyani Khobragade, who was arrested last week for under-paying her domestic help. We are told that the lady was nabbed from outside her daughter’s school in New York, and according to the diplomat in an e mail she wrote which was later made public, she was subjected to treatment incompatible with her status.
Khobragade said in the e mail that she broke down many times as the indignities of repeated handcuffing, stripping and cavity searches, swabbing as well as being placed in a hold-up with common criminals and drug addicts were all being imposed on her despite her assertions of immunity.
This for some reason seems to be standard US practice. There is some fascination amongst law enforcement authorities to strip search people of color, regardless of their status or alleged misdemeanor.
But the US has its own point of view. New York authorities insist that the diplomat in question had clearly tried to evade US law designed to protect from exploitation the domestic employees of diplomats and consular officers. The US insists that Ms Khobragade had consular immunity but not diplomatic immunity so it was well within its rights to act the way it did.
Manhattan US attorney Preet Bharara, also of Indian origin, wondered why there was so much outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian national accused of perpetrating these acts, but precious little outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian victim and her spouse. He has a point.
India responded with outrage. Given that there is a general election around the corner, both the ruling party and the opposition wanted to be seen to be standing up to the US. Bulldozers dragged away concrete barricades that had been set up outside the US Embassy and US consular officials were told to return identity cards that speed up travel into and through India, with their import clearances for duty free alcohol and other goods suspended. The Indians seem to know where to hurt the most.
There was reason enough to be angry. It is one thing to under-pay your domestic help, another to subject someone to a strip search in response. The Indians seem to have gone overboard too – an outlet of Dominos Pizza was also attacked. As if that would help India in any way.
But the point was made and the US state department apologized. That seems to have helped cool tempers. Now possibly the American diplomats will once again get back their alcohol and other privileges.
One can only be amused by all this because nothing like this would ever happen with us. We dare not retaliate. We have blocked off our whole diplomatic enclave to cater to our foreign guests.
In Karachi, for five years we did not allow the road in front of the US Consulate to be opened for general traffic. We even built a road across one of the city’s parks so that the consul general could get home from work without having to go through traffic lights.
Our diplomats in the US remain under pressure. Even when diplomats are questioned by the US authorities, their only reaction is to keep quiet. In many instances, the Pakistanis are in the wrong but their immunity status is not respected. This is in clear contrast to the Raymond Davis affair when a person with questionable status still managed to claim it.
There can be two reasons for the subservient attitude of the Pakistanis. Our government would never consider going into tit for tat reprisals. It would cost us dearly. And second, many Pakistani diplomats in the US have applied for or are in the process of applying for green cards.
Every time we try to raise our heads, we are told in clear terms where we stand. Take for example the efforts to block the route of NATO trucks through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel is believed to have told the Pakistan government if it did not resolve protests stalling military shipments across the border into Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political support in Washington for an aid programme that has sent billions of dollars to Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2013.
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COMMENTS (21)
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@Solomon2
Are ALL people being investigated for white collar crimes handcuffed, strip searched and cavity searched in US? No.
In US, a maid supporting a family of 4 cannot have 17 hours of work a day, there was a resident worker. Instead of taking hat as a perk where she did not have to pay. For boarding and lodging, US has assumed that all hours when she was not sleeping she was toiling away. She was not.
ETBLOGS1987
Attacking the Domino's pizza outlet by some vandals was not the response by Indian government who did not declare a love your counsel day to encourage such acts of vandalism. No one was hurt either. Hopefully the vandals will be arrested because there is o sympathy for such vandalism in India.
Bringing up Indian elections in every story about India is silly. When the Italian sailor thing happened was an election just around the corner? When the soldier beheading thing happened, was election just around the corner? When the racist attacks in Australia against India started was the election just around the corner? When China tried the ingress into India at the LoC was the election just around the corner?No, no, no and no. Over the years India has taken a more assertive stand in its foreign policy and that is unlikely change.
In Raymond Davis case no immunity was granted. He was tried and released by paying look money as per your own qisas and deeyat laws.
Mr. Editor, not to worry--there is someone bold enough to stand up: his name is Imran Khan. If, instead of trying to pull the carpet from under his feet at every turn, slave media groups like yours had broken the shackles and helped him, we would be much farther ahead in reclaiming our inch-by-inch lost (sold actually) freedom as a nation. But I guess, nature tests those it choses to be the harbinger of great change: nami koi bughair mushakkat nahi hua! Imran will charge on regardless.
The rest of you will only lament, write some cheap poetry masquerading as a political commentary, publish it in journals that continue to receive the "Best Slave of the Year" award, grab your daily dollar wage and go home for some liquid entertainment!
Merry X-mas and peace on earth!
"Manhattan US attorney Preet Bharara, also of Indian origin, wondered why there was so much outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian national accused of perpetrating these acts, but precious little outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian victim and her spouse. He has a point."
I am not sure he has a "point". The reason why there was no outcry in India for the maid was because no Indian thought she was well compensated by Indian standards. The average national per capita income in India is about Rs. 6000. The average maid makes even less and gets no benefits.
This maid was getting paid Rs. 30,000 a month plus free rental, food and medical care. In addition her airfare is fully paid for her. If one totals all these, the maid was getting paid even more than most Americans near minimum wage income who are without free healthcare.
Having said that the issue is the falsification of maid's visa application, a crime.
An excellent self indictment. The fault Sir lies in each of us, for allowing this country to be ruled by thugs and corrupt people with mediocre intellect, Having absolutely no stakes in this country.
Very well written article. The issue is there about the law nor about immunity be it a consular status or a diplomatic one. The issue here is entirely how the US deals with the international community on a one to one basis just like @ Rex Minor said it in his comment.
For God's sake, tell me where is the 'USAID'? Can it only be seen by Politicians and bureaucrats?
@nikki_2501@yahoo.com:
And also waht was suited to them in the name of interest.
@Shankar: We have many pro-India and we dont mind trust me.
@nikki_2501@yahoo.com:
Well said, I admire you.Keep it up,nikki.There are many sane people in Pakistan those dont hesitate to speak reality.But, credit goes tothe author who provides platform to say one's have to say.
Is there any match bewteen Indian and Pakistani diplmats? No way. We know our diplmats performance and Pakistan's stance on certain issues with America.It not secret.
@Anjaan:
agreed what you have mentioned, but it has been failure of previous rulers.They have been planning what was right to them.
A very well written article about the subject concerning a consular officer of the Indian Embassy in the USA, who suffered personal humiliation and human denegration, her fellow citizens feeling the pain and the disgrace, her Government bewildered and confused as well as uncetain about the correct diplomatic response, and left it to petty actions of reviewing the VIP treatment they usual grant to the Yanks. Ignorance is reflected in all commentaries not realising what the American administration has been involved in practices which violate all international norms of diplomacy and its relations with allies and foreign countaries.
The residents of the USA are familiar with the police routines in handling those who are suspected of or found guilty of breaking US laws, but what they were not familiar with are the activities of the NSA which were revealed by the whistle blower Edward Snowdon. 35 world leaders are under the surveillance of PRISM, keeping the American President informed of their plans and proposed actions before he meets them in one to one or in G8 or G20 meetings. The brazilian President publicly accused the American administration in the UNO general assembly demanding an apology. The German chancellor was lied to and was kept under surveillance for more than a decade.by the American administration. The story of the Indian lady is a tip of the Ice berg. Let Dr Manmohan Singh find out how much of his private life as well as of other leaders of India is now with the NSA for possible blackmail?
Rex Minor
@Solomon2..the author has already answered your question.
Let me repeat: "Even when diplomats are questioned by the US authorities, their only reaction is to keep quiet. .. ..... Our government would never consider going into tit for tat reprisals. It would cost us dearly. And second, many Pakistani diplomats in the US have applied for or are in the process of applying for green cards."
Your ex-PM, retired COAS, generals and even ISI in charge and their families end up having US/UK/ canadian passports, let alone consular employees.
"Every time we try to raise our heads, we are told in clear terms where we stand. Take for example the efforts to block the route of NATO trucks " +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Take for example the drone attacks....
"There is some fascination amongst law enforcement authorities to strip search people of color, regardless of their status or alleged misdemeanor."
That was uncalled for. Americans who are arrested get strip-searched, regardless of color.
"One can only be amused by all this because nothing like this would ever happen with us. We dare not retaliate. "
Is that the only reason why Pakistani diplomats haven't been caught doing what Khobragade and her colleagues have done? Fear of punishment? Is there no other reason why Pakistanis wouldn't behave better than Indians?
Though I am not a great fan of this Indian diplomat, however, I am against American way of treating diplomats. Indian response has been more than expected. Now looks like India will pursue the case all the way till Americans understand the meaning of good diplomatic conduct. Days of extra perks for American diplomats in India are now gone for ever. I saw today how NYT reporter was grilled by public at a TV show.
Very balanced article by author.
As an Indian i miss general Musharraf. He made us feel more secure and did a ceasefire on LoC.
He may have done kargil but he learnt.
If he comes back then people of Pakistan will have more dignity and empowerment. Also stabilization of a neighbour is good for India.
Somehow the Pakistani political class is a little weak. They are afraid of even speaking frankly to US. Mush should come back through elections though.
Sorry in advance if I hurt somebody's feelings. Just trying to speak my mind.
Disclaimer: I am Indian (you can tell from my name).
This article lays out the position of the Pakistanis as impotent to act against the Americans.
I believe this was also the case with us Indians for a long time. And it still is the case.
The catalyst has indeed not just been th gross violation of decency when searching a woman (seems barbaric indeed as one of our ministers described it), but the Modi effect means the Congress can't take this lying down. In addition the diplomat is Dalit and that could have massive ramifications for the Congress.
Beyond that, the general population was totally aghast with such American impertinence that they rose up in unison and with little urging.
Leaving aside the perennial battle-mode Indians and Pakistanis find themselves in (quite sad really), it is time for nation-states to adapt to the re-balancing world where the US is repeatedly isolated for its intolerable and imperious behavior whilst its economy is in the doldrums with c$20tn debt and counting.
And to be perfectly honest, there are a lot of people (Indians at least) who are moving out of the US having got Green Card/Citizenship - including myself