No extra privileges for American diplomats, says India

New Delhi: In a clear indication that US diplomats will not be given any extra privileges, India on Friday said diplomatic immunity will be granted strictly on reciprocal basis even as the special airport access to the American ambassador here has not been restored for nearly two and half months.

Admitting that several privileges were granted earlier to US diplomats on a "give and take" basis, sources today said the Khobragade episode has provided "better understanding" on such issues, asserting that benefits pertaining to tax, imports and other immunity-related matters should be adhered to on strict reciprocity.

"It is a simple matter of math and equation... Diplomacy always works on principle of reciprocity and the Khobragade issue has provided a better understanding of such matters," sources said here.

Asked if the special airport access pass to the US envoy — withdrawn in the wake of Devyani Khobragade’s arrest — has been restored, sources said: "We do not have that privilege, the same is for them too." This  makes it clear that Ambassador Nancy Powell's pass has not been restored.

The arrest of Khobragade on December 12 in New York on visa fraud charges had triggered a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.

Khobragade was indicted by a US grand jury on visa fraud and making false statements. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the US by the State Department.

India had not made any distinction between the immunity of US Embassy and consular staff before, the officer was asked. He said: “A lot of privileges were granted earlier on a give-and-take basis" but post-Khobragade, it has been decided to grant benefits strictly on reciprocity which is understood and appreciated the world over.