Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general, attends the India Studies Stony Brook University fundraiser event in Long Island, New York in this December 8, 2013 file photo. PHOTO: REUTERS
"I won't underplay this incident, I won't overplay this incident. I think we need to see it in perspective," S Jaishankar said in an interview. "I think we are in the midst of working this one out."
Jaishankar said India was "perplexed" by the decisions of US authorities to arrest and strip-search 39-year-old Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul in New York, after she was accused of visa fraud and underpaying her maid.
"There was a fair measure of anger about both the substance of the problem and the way it was handled," he said. "It was not just done publicly; frankly it was done appallingly."
But Jaishankar, who arrived in Washington in December after serving as Indian ambassador to China, played down the impact on the practical side of the relationship - emphasising that the two sides were still talking despite the postponement of two high-level US visits this month, including one by US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
"Frankly, it's probably the most important relationship," he said. "We are not holding up business, or Pentagon dealings, or congressional dealings ... or science programs and saying, 'They don't get done until things get sorted out.'"
Jaishankar said, however, there was a need to resolve both the Khobragade case and the broader issue of the lesser level of diplomatic immunity accorded to Indian and other foreign consular staff in the United States compared with what Washington expects for its consular staff serving overseas.
'Larger issue'
Asked if India supported a demand from Khobragade's lawyer for the charges against her to be dropped, he said, "That is an issue in respect of this diplomat, but I think there is a larger issue of immunities and privileges."
"I think we need to sit down and work this one out."
Khobragade left the United States this month after a complex deal in which her diplomatic status was switched to the United Nations, affording her a greater degree of immunity from prosecution. But US authorities have so far refused to drop the charges against her.
Until the issue was resolved, Jaishankar said, the level of immunity enjoyed by US consular officials in India would be reduced to exactly the level granted in the United States.
"Since our consular officials have no immunity against felonies, US consular officials do not have immunity against serious crimes in India," he said.
India sharply curbed privileges offered to US diplomats in retaliation for Khobragade's treatment and asked Washington to withdraw a diplomat from New Delhi.
It also ordered the US Embassy to close a club for expatriate Americans in New Delhi, and a government source said it was also preparing steps against the American Embassy School, which it suspected may be employing some staff in violation of visa rules.
Jaishankar noted that many Asian nations valued the US presence in their region and that India was keeping a "watchful" eye on the debate over the US budget, which has seen US military leaders warning about the possible impact on Washington's ability to respond to global crises.
"I think as uncertainties mount, as volatility grows, I think people do value a strong American presence," Jaishankar said.
He noted efforts last year by then-US Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to deepen bilateral defense ties, including proposed co-development of the next version of the Javelin anti-tank missile now built by Raytheon Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.
Jaishankar called co-development of defense technologies with India "uncharted territory" and added it was a matter he had discussed in his initial interactions with the Pentagon since taking up his post. Still, he said such proposals would take time to develop.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Raj - USA: " Now that the diplomat is back in India, India should punish her for misusing her status and office." Absolutely her case should be opened as an ordinary Indian citizen for fraud, misuse of authority and defaming India as a nation.
@np. While Mr. Davis' release was secured after utilization of a medieval black hole in our legal system, let's not forget how the US Government went to great lengths and arm twisting trying to paint him a Diplomat with immunity. Kudos to India; it's true the US expects other countries to treat US staff with different standards than they're willing to allow in their own country.
I think that this diplomat issue has caused more damage to US than India. The diplomat cheated her maid by having two separate contracts and underpaying the maid. The US government did exactly the same when it evaded taxes by showing the husband as the working spouse and the employed wife as home-maker. The US diplomat's wife was not even paid any salary for the work she was performing as her entire salary was paid to her husband. On record it is worse than what the Indian diplomat has been doing ....... paying less than not paying at all. The US attorney probably did not know this when he initiated the arrest of the Indian diplomat. Probably he was not aware of many other one-sided facilities US was given in other countries. He has caused much damage to US interests. Had only the diplomat been arrested quietly and deported, instead of public arrest and more importantly the strip search, US would have earned respect and applaud everywhere, instead of landing in an unnecessary controversy.
Watch what Fox News says and the video attached to this news.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/03/state-department-warns-video-purporting-to-show-indian-envoy-strip-search-is/
India - US relations are very important and it is also more important for India to have good relations with US. However, it is equally important for India to ensure that its diplomats do not exploit their maids. It is illegal even in India to have two sets of contracts with such varying terms.
Let us not forget that it was the diplomat who started it in the first place by canceling the maid's passport and rendering her stateless. What was the diplomat expecting? Was she expecting US to deport the maid or sentence her to jail term in US? Now that the diplomat is back in India, India should punish her for misusing her status and office.
The term ally gets used too often - used to connote someone willing to fight along side you - now it's just someone you trade with.
I think perplexed is exactly the right word, but then again so much of the mischief which the US gets.up to is unexplainable, illogical and perplexing. Unfortunately, I do not see any improvement coming up any time soon.
There is nothing to perplex. Relation is not tied to single issue. Each issue will be handled on its own merit. We are sure that the diplomat's case is a case of racism and we deal with that on its merit and also on reciprocity basis. At the same time, where we have other collaboration , we will proceed on the relevant issues on relevant merits. I wonder, why the term perplex is used.