Insult to Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar unacceptable, says Krishna

NEW DELHI - After Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar was patted down by an American security agent at the Jackson - Evers International Airport in Mississippi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna today said that such behaviour from the United States was not acceptable to India.

In a statement Krishna said: “I am rather surprised by the way the Indian Ambassador to the US has been treated. This has happened for the second time in three months.”

“This is unacceptable to India and we are going to take it up with the government of the United States. I hope things can be resolved so that such unpleasant incidents do not occur again,” he added.

He also said that he has asked for a report on the matter.

The incident took place on December 4 where Shankar was about to board a flight to Baltimore after attending the Mississippi State University’s programme.

Those who witnessed the Ambassador’s screening said officers told her that she was singled out because of the way she was dressed. Shankar was wearing a sari.

She was taken to a VIP waiting room despite being told she was an Ambassador. She was later pulled from a security line and patted down by a female Transportation Security Administration agent.

Shankar presented her diplomatic papers to officers and was escorted by a Mississippi Development Authority representative.

However, a Transportation Security Administration spokesman said diplomats are not exempt from the searches and that Shankar “was screened in accordance with TSA’s security policies and procedures.” (ANI)