(DAWN) - WASHINGTON: The State Department says a US
diplomat will be leaving India after New Delhi called for the American
official's expulsion in retaliation for the arrest and strip search of an Indian
diplomat in New York.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday the US deeply regrets
that the Indian government felt it was necessary to expel an American diplomat
but hopes the case will now come to closure and that India will take
''significant steps'' to improve ties that have been badly strained by the
case.
Devyani Khobragade, the Indian diplomat at the centre of
the bitter row, arrived back in New Delhi on Friday after the two countries
struck a deal in which she was granted full diplomatic immunity.
Khobragade, who left the US after being charged with visa
fraud and making false statements relating to the employment of her domestic
servant, arrived at Indira Gandhi international airport at around 10.30 pm
(1700GMT), her father confirmed to waiting reporters.
“We are very relaxed and happy that she is back home. We
are filled with joy,” Uttam Khobragade said.
He added that Devyani, 39, had gone straight from the
airport to a government apartment in the city.
Her arrival came hours after the Indian government had
asked the US to withdraw a New Delhi embassy diplomat in a fresh escalation of
the diplomatic row, just as it had appeared to be cooling down.
India reacted with outrage after Khobragade was arrested
in front of her children's school and then allegedly subjected to a cavity search
while in custody, with the Indian government describing her treatment as a
national humiliation.
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