The Communist Party of India (Marxist) described as “outrageous” the arrest and treatment of the Indian Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade by the U.S. authorities.
“It indicates how the U.S. administration views India and its diplomats,” CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said in a statement here on Wednesday.
This is not the first time an Indian diplomat has faced such indignity. Three years ago, the Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, was subjected to a pat down security search at a U.S. airport. The India’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations was faced with a similar situation, Mr. Karat pointed out.
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“The Indian government has to take firm reciprocal measures with regard to U.S. diplomatic missions here. Further, the Indian government should get an assurance from the U.S. that it will adhere to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations with regard to our diplomatic personnel in the U.S.,” Mr. Karat said in his statement.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India supported the government’s action in retaliation to the diplomat’s arrest.
The action of the government, though delayed, is in the right direction, a statement issued by the CPI Central Secretariat said.
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“The action of the U.S. is in violation of diplomatic conventions. Their claim that they will punish her according to the law of the land should be extended to all other countries, including India. Mr. Anderson, accused in the Bhopal gas tragedy case, should be handed over to India and face the case according to Indian laws,” the party said.
The CPI also demanded that the government take all steps to defend rights, including to minimum wage of house maids and servants, who are working as private employees with Indian diplomats abroad.