Diplomat at centre of standoff with US thanks supporters, vox pop
(11 Jan 2014) An Indian diplomat refused to talk to the press on Saturday, a day after she arrived back in New Delhi from New York, where she had been arrested and strip searched before being indicted by US authorities on charges of exploiting her Indian-born helper.
"No comments, I am really thankful for all your support...but thanks a lot. I cannot make any comments right now. My government will speak for me, my lawyer will speak for me," she told reporters at Maharashtra Sadan, the government accommodation where she is staying.
Khobragade, 39, is accused of exploiting her Indian-born housekeeper and nanny, allegedly having her work more than 100 hours a week for low pay and lying about it on a visa form.
Khobragade has maintained her innocence, and Indian officials have described her treatment as barbaric.
In an apparent compromise, she was indicted by a federal grand jury but also granted immunity that allowed her to leave the United States.
Khobragade arrived in New Delhi on Friday, where she was met at the airport by her father and a sister.
Much of India's outrage stems from the circumstances of Khobragade's arrest, which were seen as unnecessarily humiliating.
Khobragade was picked up December 13 and then strip-searched while in custody, which the US Marshals say is common practice.
The case has also led to complaints in India that the United States is not treating it like a powerful nation on equal footing with Washington.
"I mean our relationship with America must not be in the nature of slaves...so we are not slaves of any country. So even if it affects (the) relationship with America, I think that does not matter," said 40-year-old activist, Santosh Pandey.
On Friday, the United States said it was withdrawing a diplomat from India in hopes it would end the bitter dispute.
Many believed that Khobragade's return to India would be enough to give both countries a way to save face.
India, however, asked the United States on Friday to withdraw a diplomat from the US Embassy in New Delhi, and the State Department said it was complying, although with "deep regret." The diplomat hasn't been named.
Requesting the recall of a diplomat is a serious, and fairly unusual, move that sends a message to Washington that India's government doesn't accept the legitimacy of the court action in New York.
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(11 Jan 2014) An Indian diplomat refused to talk to the press on Saturday, a day after she arrived back in New Delhi from New York, where she had been arrested and strip searched before being indicted by US authorities on charges of exploiting her Indian-born helper.
“No comments, I am really thankful for all your support…but thanks a lot. I cannot make any comments right now. My government will speak for me, my lawyer will speak for me,” she told reporters at Maharashtra Sadan, the government accommodation where she is staying.
Khobragade, 39, is accused of exploiting her Indian-born housekeeper and nanny, allegedly having her work more than 100 hours a week for low pay and lying about it on a visa form.
Khobragade has maintained her innocence, and Indian officials have described her treatment as barbaric.
In an apparent compromise, she was indicted by a federal grand jury but also granted immunity that allowed her to leave the United States.
Khobragade arrived in New Delhi on Friday, where she was met at the airport by her father and a sister.
Much of India’s outrage stems from the circumstances of Khobragade’s arrest, which were seen as unnecessarily humiliating.
Khobragade was picked up December 13 and then strip-searched while in custody, which the US Marshals say is common practice.
The case has also led to complaints in India that the United States is not treating it like a powerful nation on equal footing with Washington.
“I mean our relationship with America must not be in the nature of slaves…so we are not slaves of any country. So even if it affects (the) relationship with America, I think that does not matter,” said 40-year-old activist, Santosh Pandey.
On Friday, the United States said it was withdrawing a diplomat from India in hopes it would end the bitter dispute.
Many believed that Khobragade’s return to India would be enough to give both countries a way to save face.
India, however, asked the United States on Friday to withdraw a diplomat from the US Embassy in New Delhi, and the State Department said it was complying, although with “deep regret.” The diplomat hasn’t been named.
Requesting the recall of a diplomat is a serious, and fairly unusual, move that sends a message to Washington that India’s government doesn’t accept the legitimacy of the court action in New York.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9a7adee91b3e6659b784857894672494
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