The External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid announced extension of the last date to surrender IDs of US Diplomats. But it will only be for three days not more Khurshid said.
He said, “We are reasonable but the extension is for three days. Whatever we had to do we have done! It seems we were going further than what was required by reciprocity. So, we have retreated into reciprocity and that will remain.”
He ruled out the rolling back of the measures restricting privileges for U.S. diplomats announced last week.
India wanted to withdraw special privileges to the employees of US Embassy and US Consulate and to treat them as US Government is doing towards Indian Diplomats.
After removing the security barricades in front of the US Embassy at Delhi, cancelling of special airport entry passes and curbing on imports, the Indian Government asked the employees to turn in their diplomatic IDs by Monday.
But as Devyani Khorbagade who was arrested for Visa violations was given immunity from personal attendance in the police inquiry and court hearing after she has been transferred to the Permanent Mission to the UN.
Calling it a good beginning, Salman Khurshid extended time for turning in the IDs by three days.
-SriJa
