Indian diplomat arrested in NYC

[Doktor]

She was not abused. She got way better benefits than she would have gotten in India and she suffered no physical abuse no limitation on freedom. She started suffering limitations of freedom when she started blackmailing and started demanding more money. After that she was let go.

Way better benefits then at home?

The blackmail was based on what? Fulfillment of minimum requirements written by law?

Where is the abuse being alleged other than being required to be paid minimum wage? The maid got a better deal because she got free benefits which outweighed the minimum wage and you are completely ignoring that fact. Do you know what minimum wage is for? the purpose of the minimum wage? It is to allow people with very limited means to provide adequate lodging and food on the table and eke out a passable living. With the benefits she got, the purpose of the minimum wage has already been served.

Then why the charges?

[Triple C]

The diplomat would not be in violation of minimum wage statutes if she can provide documentation that proves the food and boarding she provides the housekeeper makes up for the shortfall in cash wages. Yet charges are being filed. We will see.

[lemontree]

Hitesh, you are arguing for an Indian bureaucrat to deny American rights to a person on American soil. You are arguing for an Indian to break American law on American soil as she sees fit, even when she does not have the authority, especially when she does not have the authority to do so.

No sir, he is only arguing that a senior Indian diplomat should not be handcuffed like a common criminal. If US laws have been violated then the same can be addressed in a manner that is becoming of consular/embassy staff. Please throw the rule book at her, by all means.

This is only getting ugly
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...w/27515440.cms

India has asked US to return all ID cards issued to their consular officers posted in the country.

This is a precursor to reviewing immunity and benefits enjoyed by US consular officers in India.

[lemontree]

Way better benefits then at home?

Yes, way way better benefits - a full time maid back home in India, would get about INR 5k - 6k (about USD 100) at an average (only in Mumbai), excluding boarding and lodging.

[lemontree]

latest update:
Devyani Khobragade's arrest: angry India takes reciprocal steps | NDTV.com

US diplomats in consulates across India have been asked to surrender identity cards issued to them and their families, which entitle them to special privileges. India has also withdrawn all airport passes for consulates and embassies and asked the Delhi police to remove barricades outside the US embassy.

"The law of strict reciprocity is in place, if they say Ms Khobragade had limited immunity then so will US officials" diplomatic sources told NDTV.

India is also asking for details like salaries paid to Indian staff employed in US consulates, including those working as domestic helps with the families of American officials.

New Delhi has also asked for the visa details of all teachers at US schools, what they're being paid and their bank accounts.
Import clearances for the American embassy have also been removed, in what are being described as the "initial steps" in India's reciprocal moves.

An American diplomat's same sex partner was issued a diplomatic visa some time back. I guess under Indian law they are liable to be arrested.

P.S
The reading here is that the US State Department cleared the arrest of the Indian diplomat as a diversion, due to the pressure India is putting for the extradition of the 26/11 convict Headley.

[sated buddha]

But strip search of a diplomat, that too a lady, is a bit too much. This is surely something that has other deeper undertones to it. It could so easily have been done more smoothly and discreetly than the way it was handled. She was handcuffed just outsid the school of her kids. And then put into general populace with druggies and such.

[Doktor]

Yes, way way better benefits - a full time maid back home in India, would get about INR 5k - 6k (about USD 100) at an average (only in Mumbai), excluding boarding and lodging.

What's the minimum wage in Mumbai? ;)

[Bigfella]

But strip search of a diplomat, that too a lady, is a bit too much. This is surely something that has other deeper undertones to it. It could so easily have been done more smoothly and discreetly than the way it was handled. She was handcuffed just outsid the school of her kids. And then put into general populace with druggies and such.

That bit of the process was down to the NYPD & local DA. it could definitely have been done differently, but it might not be any more than the DA being a 'hardass' of the local cops doing the same.

[anil]

Indian police has removed security from all US embassies across india along with airport passes issued to US officials

The counter-measures are:

--All US diplomats must submit details of salaries paid to their servants, maids, gardeners and other domestic servants to the Indian authorities.

Since the US embassy is considered US soil, it expects that all indian workers have been paid as per US labour laws. {basically, this would probably incriminate every US official in india}

--All American Schools must submit details of salaries paid to teachers and their bank account details, to be forwarded to Income Tax department for tax compliance.

--All security barriers allowed to be erected on Nyaya Marg in the diplomatic enclave Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, for security purposes for the US embassy, will now be dismantled.

Breaking news across fifty or so indian news channels - "A DALIT WOMEN STRIPPED BY AMERICAN GOVT IN USA AND JAILED ALONGSIDE DRUG DEALERS". The dalit activists, hooligans etc are going to make a bee line towards the US embassy with all kinds of weapons.

--All import clearances given to US diplomats for importing fine food, wine and other costly items, as exemptions under customs duty rules, stand revoked.

Cost of US budget for maintaining US officials in india increased 3 folds

--All US diplomats working in consulates across India have been asked to submit their IDs to Indian authorities.

Can't leave the country

[Minskaya]

It seems to me that State was sending some sort of message. The consular employee was merely the bottle.

At this stage, I think knee-jerk reactions from India are unwise and counter-productive.

[sated buddha]

It seems to me that State was sending some sort of message. The consular employee was merely the bottle.

At this stage, I think knee-jerk reactions from India are unwise and counter-productive.

Unless the actions snowballing on the Indian side are also some form of message in reply. Via many bottles.

Personally from what I have seen here, most Indians are not getting into the legalities of it on the ground level. Bottom line of reactions across the country seem to be that she is someone representing India in the US. And this sort of treatment is not something against the person but against the country she represents. Namely, India.

Such comes with responsibilities on her side as well as caveats of conduct on the side of the host nation. And from what I know, even historically, treatment meted out to diplomats and emissaries is always a nuanced equation between two sides.

When people of times gone by realized that throwing a messenger to the lions invited more of their own thrown to the bears in the other's land, concepts of immunity emerged.

Such seem to have been flouted in a pretty cavalier fashion here, hence the reaction. Added to that the fact that she is a lady, and the stripping has serious social over and undertones here.

[anil]

sated buddha,

If india actually started prosecuting US officials in india using the law of the land argument(instead of the current policy of looking the other way), some of these guys would have been in jail, while most others on bail forced to register their existence personally every week at the local police stations.

Just take a took at this investigation

--All US diplomats must submit details of salaries paid to their servants, maids, gardeners and other domestic servants to the Indian authorities.

All these guys will be clearly found guilty in the coming days you can bet on it

[sated buddha]

sated buddha,

If india actually started prosecution US officials in india using the law of the land argument(instead of the current policy of looking the other way), some of these guys would have been in jail, while most others on bail forced to register their existence personally every week at the local police stations.

Anil, by the looks of things, and with Arnob and co. foaming at the mouth, such may soon come to pass for some lower level fall guys from their side, properly nuanced to just escalate, yet not to tipping point. The next 24 hours will reveal more I'm sure.

[anil]

sated buddha,

If the US wants to play this game then it is they who stand to loose all or most.

What I don't understand is why did they disrespect diplomatic rights in the first place?

[Firestorm]

It seems to me that State was sending some sort of message. The consular employee was merely the bottle.

The only major disagreement between the US State dept. and India that we know of concerns David Headley. I can't think of anything else.

At this stage, I think knee-jerk reactions from India are unwise and counter-productive.

Maybe, but not reacting at all would be worse. It would send a message to countries around the world that India didn't care about how its diplomats are treated by them. They have to play the wait and watch game. Sooner or later, some US diplomat in India is going to slip up. Bad luck for him.