Although India has taken a tough stand against the U.S. over the arrest of its diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York, the government’s muted response to other provocations such as spying shows that it is keen to remain America’s “global strategic partner”. By JOHN CHERIAN
THE arrest and strip-search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade by the New York Police on December 12 has expectedly evoked strong reactions in India. The political parties were united in defending the honour of Devyani, who is accused of committing a “visa fraud” and of making a false declaration in connection with the employment of her Indian housemaid, Sangeeta Richard. Under the United States’ law, the charges against the Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate in New York could lead to a jail term of more than 10 years.
The US Media has been scathing about New Delhi's response. "India is responding with investigations and administrative actions directed by the government for political ends — a tactic common in authoritarian states such as Russia or China but unworthy of a democracy," Washington Post said in an editorial on Wednesday.
"Its bullying measures have ranged from the petty — withdrawing the US embassy's permit to import alcohol — to the irresponsible — removing security barricades from the street in front of the facility," it further said
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