India has lodged a strong protest with the U.S. for the humiliation meted out to its Ambassador to the United Nations Hardeep Puri at an airport.
One of India's topmost diplomats, Mr. Puri was asked by officials to remove his turban during a security check at the Houston Airport two weeks ago, sources said.
When Mr. Puri refused to remove his turban, the officials made him wait for over half-an-hour in a ‘holding room.' The matter was resolved only after a Transportation Security Administration official accompanying Mr. Puri intervened.
India has lodged an official protest with the U.S. authorities through its Consulate-General in Houston, sources said in New Delhi.
“I have taken it up with the U.S. authorities and the matter is at that stage,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in New Delhi.
The incident comes close on the heels of Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar being subjected to a ‘pat down' search earlier this month.
She was subjected to an enhanced security pat down , ostensibly because she was dressed in a sari.
