US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell had a first-hand experience of India’s ire as officials politely declined to accord her special airport privileges for her Christmas vacation to Nepal.
The Indian government had on December 19, a week after the arrest of diplomat Devyani Khobragade, withdrawn all special airport passes to the US diplomats that allowed them access to several places at the airport not just while travelling but also for receiving and seeing-off guests. The government said this was a reciprocal measure as Indian diplomats were not given the same passes in the US.
However, Lee McManis, acting spokesperson for the US Embassy, said “Powell’s personal holiday plans in Nepal were cancelled to deal with pressing issues”, implying that her decision had nothing to do with the withdrawal of special privileges.
After receiving a communication from the US Embassy about Powell’s plan to travel to Nepal, the government declined to accord her any special privileges as her airport pass stood withdrawn. The ambassador’s special pass came with a photo identity card unlike the “floating passes” reserved for junior diplomats. The withdrawal of the pass means that Powell will have to travel like an ordinary passenger. She will have to stand in a queue and also lend herself to routine frisking by security personnel.
Sources said Powell will not get any privilege in India that her Indian counterpart in the US does not get. The Indian government justified this saying that the Indian ambassador to the US travels like an ordinary person too.
India Great
This is how India should conduct itself,with dignity & moderation.These privileges should never have been given
India must stand her ground and do exactly as the US does.
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