Devyani Khobragade Case: US sticks to its guns, demands restoration of diplomatic security
Washington: Amid rising tensions over the arrest and "barbaric" treatment of an Indian diplomat in New York, the US stuck to its guns saying it acted "appropriately" and demanded restoration of security for its missions
"The US and India enjoy a broad and deep friendship, and this isolated episode is not in any way indicative of the close and respectful ties that we share and will continue to share," Harf said.
US officials, she said "have conveyed at high levels to the Government of India our expectations that India will continue to fulfill all of its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations."
"Obviously, the safety and security of our diplomats and consular officers in the field is a top priority."
The US, she said, will "continue to work with India to ensure that all of our diplomats and consular officers are being afforded full rights and protections."
"Also, of course, safety and security of our facilities as well is something we take very seriously, and we'll keep working with the Indians on that."
Adding a new dimension to the case, Harf also claimed that the State Department had advised the Indian Embassy "in writing in September of allegations of abuse made by an Indian national against the deputy consul general of India in New York."
"Obviously, we play a role in this, but the Department of Justice also obviously handles the legal aspect of it as well," she said.
US officials, she said "have conveyed at high levels to the Government of India our expectations that India will continue to fulfill all of its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations."
"Obviously, the safety and security of our diplomats and consular officers in the field is a top priority."
The US, she said, will "continue to work with India to ensure that all of our diplomats and consular officers are being afforded full rights and protections."
"Also, of course, safety and security of our facilities as well is something we take very seriously, and we'll keep working with the Indians on that."
Adding a new dimension to the case, Harf also claimed that the State Department had advised the Indian Embassy "in writing in September of allegations of abuse made by an Indian national against the deputy consul general of India in New York."
"Obviously, we play a role in this, but the Department of Justice also obviously handles the legal aspect of it as well," she said.