New Delhi: Adding to the slew of retaliatory measures in response to the treatment meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, India on Wednesday asked the US to stop commercial activities from its embassy premises from January 16.
Not just this, US diplomatic vehicles will now attract penalty for all traffic-related offences.
The American Community Support Association (ACSA) facilities at the US embassy include restaurant/bar, video club, bowling alley, sports field, beauty parlour and gym. The US has been asked to provide tax returns to the Indian authorities for commercial activities under ACSA.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ambassador Nancy Powell have expressed regret at the ugly turn of events that led to the humiliation of Khobragade, an incident that caused a major downturn in Indo-US ties at the end of last year.
Not just this, US diplomatic vehicles will now attract penalty for all traffic-related offences.
The American Community Support Association (ACSA) facilities at the US embassy include restaurant/bar, video club, bowling alley, sports field, beauty parlour and gym. The US has been asked to provide tax returns to the Indian authorities for commercial activities under ACSA.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ambassador Nancy Powell have expressed regret at the ugly turn of events that led to the humiliation of Khobragade, an incident that caused a major downturn in Indo-US ties at the end of last year.
In another fallout of the India-US stand-off over the handcuffing and strip-search of Khobragade, India had earlier asked the American Center here to obtain a licence by January 20 or cease screening films.
The Indian move comes days after the External Affairs Ministry set up a group of experts, including in international law, human resource and finance, to discuss how to proceed against the US authorities in the wake of the December 12 handcuffing and strip-search of Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, which caused widespread outrage in India.
Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12 in New York on charges of making falsifying visa documents of her domestic help Sangeeta Richard and for underpaying her in violation of local labour laws. She was released on a USD 250,000 bail bond. Khobragade has denied the charges. The US has expressed regret over the circumstances of the arrest and voiced a desire to move forward on the bilateral relationship.
India has already withdrawn the airport passes given to US diplomats in India and the special diplomatic identity cards issued to them as part of reciprocal measures after the arrest of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.
India has demanded the US take back all charges against Khobragade and offer an unconditional apology
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