Men in Bhopal, India set
photos of President Obama on fire to protest
the way New York police detained,
arrested, and according to New
Delhi, 'humiliated' its Deputy Consul General DevyaniKhobragade. The
case has
created the biggest crisis between the two states
in decades.
Disrespectful America Rightly Snubbed by India (Pak Observer, Pakistan)
"The diplomatic row is intensifying. The U.S. is sticking
to the legality of its position of arresting Deputy Consul General DevyaniKhobragade last week on
charges that she pays her domestic helper. ... How strange it is that the United States expects
all sorts of courtesies and privileges - due and undue - for not only its
diplomatic staff, but its undercover spies, yet it is unwilling to extend the
same to diplomats of other countries."
India Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade: Her arrest as she dropped off her children at school, and the reportedly harsh manner in which she was frisked and detained by New York police, has exposed a seething cauldron of resentment at the way America treats foreign diplomats in the United States.
On
Tuesday, India launched a series of reprisals against U.S. officials, as
outrage grew over a diplomat's arrest in New York, which New Delhi branded "humiliating."
The range of retaliatory measures included a return of identity cards that
speed travel into and through India for U.S. consular officials; a halt to all
import clearances for U.S. Embassy staff (aka/diplomatic pouches); the removal
of protective barriers from around the Embassy; and a refusal by Indian
officials to accord routine courtesies to a visiting U.S. Congressional delegation.
The
diplomatic row is intensifying. The U.S. is sticking to the legality of its position
of arresting Deputy Consul General DevyaniKhobragade last week on charges that she underpays her domestic
helper.
America's
action was sheer arrogance, and apparently violates diplomatic convention. Therefore,
New Delhi's reaction is fully justified and understandable. Prime Minister Singh,
other senior Indian officials, opposition candidate for prime minister NarendraModi, and Indian media,
have all reacted the way any proud nation would.
There
have been many instances in which Americans humiliated the diplomats of other nations
stationed in Washington or New York. A propaganda campaign was also launched a
few years back against MunirAkram, one of the best
and most decent Pakistan diplomats.
How
strange it is that the United States expects all sorts of courtesies and privileges
- due and undue - for not only its diplomatic staff, but its undercover spies,
yet it is unwilling to extend the same to diplomats of other countries.
One
recalls the hue and cry America raised when its undercover agent, Raymond Davis, was
arrested in Lahore following after he killed three Pakistani citizens. In
unison its state machinery flew into action a pressed on until the criminal was
allowed to flee.
The
people of Indian have shown self-respect and are therefore setting a good
example for others to follow in similar circumstances.
