US remains probably most important ally: Indian ambassador

Washington: United States remains probably India’s most important ally, the Indian ambassador to Washington said on Tuesday.
“I won’t underplay this incident, I won’t overplay this incident. I think we need to see it in perspective,” S Jaishankar said in an interview. “I think we are in the midst of working this one out.”
“Frankly, it’s probably the most important relationship,” he said. “We are not holding up business, or Pentagon dealings, or congressional dealings or science programs and saying, ‘They don’t get done until things get sorted out,'” he further said.
Jaishankar said, however, there was a need to resolve both the Khobragade case and the broader issue of the lesser level of diplomatic immunity accorded to Indian and other foreign consular staff in United States compared with what Washington expects for its consular staff serving overseas.
‘Larger issue’
Asked if India supported a demand from Khobragade’s lawyer for the charges against her to be dropped, he said, “That is an issue in respect of this diplomat, but I think there is a larger issue of immunities and privileges. I think we need to sit down and work this one out.”
Khobragade left United States in January 2014 after a complex deal in which her diplomatic status was switched to United Nations, affording her a greater degree of immunity from prosecution. But US authorities have so far refused to drop the charges against her.
Until the issue was resolved, Jaishankar said, the level of immunity enjoyed by US consular officials in India would be reduced to exactly the level granted in United States.
“Since our consular officials have no immunity against felonies, US consular officials do not have immunity against serious crimes in India,” he said.
India sharply curbed privileges offered to US diplomats in retaliation for Khobragade’s treatment and asked Washington to withdraw a diplomat from New Delhi.
It also ordered the US Embassy to close a club for expatriate Americans in New Delhi, and a government source said it was also preparing steps against the American Embassy School, which it suspected may be employing some staff in violation of visa rules.
Jaishankar noted that many Asian nations valued US presence in their region and that India was keeping a “watchful” eye on the debate over US budget, which has seen US military leaders warning about the possible impact on Washington’s ability to respond to global crises.
“I think as uncertainties mount, as volatility grows, I think people do value a strong American presence,” Jaishankar said.
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