Anger escalates in India after US arrest of diplomat in New York

India's national security adviser and senior political leaders weighed into an escalating dispute with the United States on Tuesday over the arrest and alleged heavy-handed treatment of an Indian diplomat in New York.

National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said the treatment of the diplomat was "barbaric" and in protest refused to meet a delegation of US lawmakers on a visit to India. The delegation has also been snubbed by the leaders of the two main political parties, a cabinet minister and the speaker of parliament.

In a sign the row might deepen, Indian TV networks reported that the foreign ministry was considering retaliatory demands, including withdrawing consular identification cards and certain privileges for some US diplomats and their families.

India's foreign ministry and the US embassy Delhi said they were unable to comment on the reports.

Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, was arrested last week for allegedly underpaying her nanny and committing visa fraud to get her into the United States. Khobragade was handcuffed upon arrest and strip-searched before being released on bail, Indian media said.

Khobragade, who was released on $250,000 bail after pleading not guilty to the charges and surrendering her passport, faces a maximum of 15 years in jail if convicted on both counts.

US State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf on Monday said diplomatic security staff followed standard procedures during the arrest and then handed her over to the US Marshals.

The arrest triggered fierce debate in India, with opinion divided over whether Khobragade was unfairly treated or whether she should be condemned for mistreating her domestic helper.  


REUTERS