Steps against US based on reciprocity, we're not hostile: India
New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) India said Wednesday that its
retaliatory measures against the US embassy and consulates in India over
the handcuffing and strip-search of an envoy are "not hostile" but
based on reciprocity.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid
to a question on the latest measures against the US, said: "We're not
hostile, this is an arrangement based on reciprocity."
In its
latest step, India has told the US that the commercial activities being
undertaken from inside the US embassy premises in Delhi should be
stopped by Jan 16 and that all US diplomatic vehicles found flouting
rules will also attract penalties.
Khurshid said the US has said
that they are following their rules in the matter of Indian diplomat
Devyani Khobragade, who was arrested Dec 12 in New York for alleged visa
fraud and underpaying her nanny.
"They said they will do what is
in their rules... we have indicated that please don't take steps that
may harm any agreement between us."
"Our position is reciprocity,
which is an evolving process. When we realise we don't have reciprocity
on something, we do that (take that step). We're not hostile, this is
an arrangement based on reciprocity," he said.
According to
government sources, several commercial activities were being undertaken
under the aegis of the American Community Support Association (ACSA),
including a restaurant/bar, video club, bowling alley, swimming pool,
sports field, beauty parlour and gym inside the embassy premises.
"The
US has been asked to provide the tax returns filed by it with Indian
authorities for the commercial activities which are through ACSA to
non-diplomatic persons, including private American citizens and their
families," the sources added.
In a related development, US
diplomatic vehicles are to also attract penalties for all traffic
related offenses such as unauthorized parking, not stopping at red
light, dangerous driving, the sources added.
"Necessary action against Vehicles with AF (Applied for) number plates is also on the cards," the source added.
The
Dec 12 handcuffing and strip-search of Khobragade, India's deputy
consul general in New York, caused widespread outrage in India.
She has denied the charges of visa fraud and underpaying her nanny.
India has demanded the US take back all charges against Khobragade and offer an unconditional apology.
India
has already withdrawn the airport passes given to US diplomats in India
and the special diplomatic identity cards issued to them as part of
reciprocal measures after the arrest of Khobragade.