Indian Foreign Ministry conveys displeasure on patting of Ambassador Meera Shankar

NEW DELHI - Javed Ashraf, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed today to US Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Lu, India’s ’strong concern’ over the screening of Indian Ambassador to United States Meera Shankar on December 4 at Mississippi airport.

Shankar was stopped despite the fact that Mission had followed the State Department guidelines for expeditious clearance of the Ambassador Mera Shankar was escorted by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official and she had presented her diplomatic identity according to MEA sources.

“She had to undergo enhanced security check because she was wearing a saree” US informed India, according to sources.

MEA sources said such incidents are unacceptable, it was contrary to normal diplomatic practice and inconsistent with excellent relations India and US enjoy.

“We understand and respect every country’s security procedure but we also expect that usual diplomatic privileges and courtesies are extended to the ambassador and our diplomats,” a source added.

MEA sources also said: “We expect the State department and TSA would sensitize all its agents at all airports to culture and religious practices of foreign diplomats.”

India respects privileges of foreign diplomats and extend diplomatic courtesies to them, “Such incidents naturally lead to review of all the privileges and facilities given in India,” the MEA source said. (ANI)