India refuses US request to waive Devyani's immunity

Washington: India on Friday refused the United States' request to waive the diplomatic immunity of senior diplomat Devyani Khobragade after the US accepted her request for UN accreditation, sources said.

"We have accepted the Indians request to accredit (Devyanai Khobragade to the United Nations)," a US government official said.

He acknowledged that not accepting to this request of UN accreditation would have been very difficult for the United States. "It is important to note that it would be almost without precedent to deny such a request except in the event of national security risks including espionage," the official said.

Requesting anonymity as the official is not allowed to speak to the media on this sensitive issue, the official said once the UN accreditation was granted that gave her the full diplomatic immunity, the US immediately requested India to waive this immunity so that she can be tried in a US court.

As expected, India denied the request. "The US requested waiver of immunity (of Devyani Khobragade).India denied that request," the official said.

"We then requested her departure, as per the standard procedure and the charges remain in place," the official added. The official also confirmed that Khobragade has not left the country as being reported, after the US Attorney Preet Bharara had informed the District judge of New York Shira Scheindlin about it in a letter. "(Khobragade) has not left the country," the official said.