US delaying G-1 visa to Devyani, India warns of more retaliation

NEW DELHI: India has warned that it could take additional retaliatory measures to bring US diplomats at par with their Indian counterparts if Devyani Khoragade is not granted the G-1 visa that ensures full diplomatic immunity by the end of the week.

The two countries have been working to ensure that Khobragade gets a fresh ID as diplomat at India’s permanent mission at the UN and be granted G-1 visa. However, despite her UN accreditation last month, the State Department is yet to grant the G-1 visa, which would also lead to the restoration of her passport.

Senior government officials told ET that the US State Department was taking “unusually long” to grant her G-1 visa, even allowing for the year-end holidays. According to the officials, acquiring G-1 visa at the earliest for Khobragade is India’s primary aim over the next few days. This visa shields her from having to make a personal appearance in court. The Indian government hasn’t yet decided whether she will be flown back immediately after the visa is granted.

Officials are unwilling to say when the visa will be granted given what they say is Washington’s past record on the case. But any delay on the part of the US will invite retaliation, the officials said, without giving any details.

The officials said the ministry of external affairs is still awaiting details regarding Indian nationals working with the US embassy as well as spouses of diplomats who are working in India. The deadline for the submission of this information was December 23.