Indian diplomat arrested in NYC

[Minskaya]

The woman, named Sangeeta Richard, alleged that she was to be paid $4,500 per month according to the employment contract for her visa, but was cut down to just $537 per month. Furthermore, she said that she was made to work for 40 hours a week. Ms Khobragade's lawyers support her position, arguing that with her own salary of $ 4,000 a month does not allow her to pay $4,500 to her domestic help. In the wake of criticism by the Indian Embassy, the US has said that Devyani does not enjoy immunity from the jurisdiction of the U.S courts. Moreover, the allegations against her are very serious as her maid was underpaid, overworked and was made to sign a contract to bind her.

With the information available, it seems to me that the charges possibly have merit. Now whether this consular official enjoys diplomatic immunity is a bit trickier. No matter the answer, I do think this could have been handled in a more discreet manner.

[Firestorm]

With the information available, it seems to me that the charges possibly have merit. Now whether this consular official enjoys diplomatic immunity is a bit trickier. No matter the answer, I do think this could have been handled in a more discreet manner.

Preet Bharara needs the eyeballs. I see a gubernatorial campaign in his future. Although even I think this would have been handled more discreetly if the diplomat had been from say China or Russia or a US ally, Bharara's ambitions notwithstanding.

[Minskaya]

Preet Bharara needs the eyeballs. I see a gubernatorial campaign in his future.

It struck me also that Mr. Bharara might have political aspirations. Diplomats from two different nations charged within a month.

[Bigfella]

Preet Bharara needs the eyeballs. I see a gubernatorial campaign in his future. Although even I think this would have been handled more discreetly if the diplomat had been from say China or Russia or a US ally, Bharara's ambitions notwithstanding.

He wasn't especially discreet about charging 49 former Russian diplomats & their families. No cuffs, but plenty of headlines. Russia not best pleased. He does seem to like the spotlight.

[cyppok]

He wasn't especially discreet about charging 49 former Russian diplomats & their families. No cuffs, but plenty of headlines. Russia not best pleased. He does seem to like the spotlight.

idiotic really from long term relations and retaliation perspective.

I can totally see same thing happening in Russia and drugs being found or some other nuance that simply involves money transfers and not paying some mundane fee.

Makes headlines but business wise and relationship wise between countries far more destructive. Lets say you could have signed a trade agreement and instead you have a moron prosecutor getting pictures taken for the local paper. So you sacrificed thousands of jobs for his ego.
(along with a boatload of tax money wasted on prosecution and paying the retaliation cost when it comes)
Visa fraud: US hopes Indian diplomat's arrest won't affect bilateral ties | Firstpost

The US has hoped that the major diplomatic row over the arrest of the Indian Deputy Consul General in New York will not affect bilateral ties with India.

The people who brought these charges are really *bright*.

I expect another emerging market perhaps Brazil having a similar experience. Since once these types of things happen they keep on going until the moron in charge is fired along with his underlings and they are given a *no* *no* talk to at least.

[Bigfella]

idiotic really from long term relations and retaliation perspective.

Not only do I not think he cares, being on Vlad's 'people I don't like' list isn't going to lose you many votes in the US.

[winton]

Preet Bharara needs the eyeballs. I see a gubernatorial campaign in his future. Although even I think this would have been handled more discreetly if the diplomat had been from say China or Russia or a US ally, Bharara's ambitions notwithstanding.

The indian govt looks very amateurish in not giving her diplomatic cover to begin with, if what some here are saying is true.

[cyppok]

Not only do I not think he cares, being on Vlad's 'people I don't like' list isn't going to lose you many votes in the US.

Lavrov said the Russian authorities had checked the salaries paid to its staff and “at minimum, a few of them at least, at the time they sought this assistance, were on salaries that allowed them to request such help from the American fund.”

Some accused Russian diplomats had right to Medicaid

The point being is I am sure some of them broke the law. The way it was handled was to create maximum PR and negative retaliation.

Live and let live crack down would have been better for business. Just site them and fix it.

[Blademaster]

None of which comes close to answering my question.

In your first post you as much as accused the housekeeper of lying to get a visa. In your second post you said that the Consul can't afford to pay the wage that she claimed she was paying - which would seem to support the allegation that she lied on the visa application (not your intention I'm sure). So now it appears that you have unintentionally exposed the Consul as a liar. I'm just trying to work out which of your positions is correct.

How do you know she lied on the application? What is your proof that she lied on the application. As usual, you jump to legal conclusions without merit. Another rabbit hole for you as you are so fond of saying.

As for the housekeeper, a court has issued an arrest for her in India. So there goes your logic that the consular officer did something wrong. Like I said, there is more than it meets the eye.

[Bigfella]

How do you know she lied on the application? What is your proof that she lied on the application. As usual, you jump to legal conclusions without merit. Another rabbit hole for you as you are so fond of saying.

I don't know that she lied and I didn't say she lied. That is why I used the terms allegation and appears. You made it clear that she couldn't afford to pay the full wage. The US Attorney claims she filled out a visa application saying she would or did. The implication is clear from your own attempt to defend her.

As for 'rabbit holes', the truthfulness of what she put on the visa is actually the key element here. It is what the charges are about. It is not tangential but central. Pretty much the opposite of a 'rabbit hole'.

As for the housekeeper, a court has issued an arrest for her in India. So there goes your logic that the consular officer did something wrong. Like I said, there is more than it meets the eye.

I'll leave the jumping to legal conclusions with no merit to you, you have been doing that from your first post. You have clearly decided who is guilty & who is innocent here. I still don't know.

....well at least your little tanty on the GOP thread makes sense now. Guess that's what I get for pointing out the contradictions in your argument.

[anil]

Envoy gets $4,120 per month, US says pay nanny $4,500

The issue is cultural as a foreign diplomat is considered a guest in another country who should not be humiliated. Handcuffing one(specially, a women) and putting them under police custody is taking it to another level. Women are not sent to warzones in the first place.

The indian govt looks very amateurish in not giving her diplomatic cover to begin with, if what some here are saying is true.

She already has the rights of a diplomat. The US just let india know(in action) what it really thinks about these rights.

[Officer of Engineers]

The issue is cultural as a foreign diplomat is considered a guest in another country who should not be humiliated.

A foreign diplomat should also not abuse the laws of her host country.

She already has the rights of a diplomat. The US just let india know(in action) what it really thinks about these rights.

The US is saying that her laws trumps on her home ground.

[anil]

A foreign diplomat should also not abuse the laws of her host country.

The US is saying that her laws trumps on her home ground.

Two can play that "game". But you're talking about persecuting a guest, a game that will set a precedent. How will this look to others?

[Officer of Engineers]

Two can play that game. But you're talking about persecuting a guest, a game that will set a precedent. How will this look to others?

Diplomats have committed real murder and used Diplomatic Immunity to get away with it.

[anil]

Diplomats have committed real murder and used Diplomatic Immunity to get away with it.

You're not seeing the cultural angle I'm trying to put forward.

A diplomat is a guest, not a soldier. If a diplomat commits murder, it is not a guest in the first place.