US diplomats escape section 377

NEW DELHI: India took a conscious decision not to act against American diplomats with same-sex partners even as it withdrew several privileges extended to these diplomats, amid the stand-off over the arrest of its deputy consul-general Devyani Khobragade in New York on charges of visa fraud.

India did not want to be seen singling out US diplomats when their counterparts from a few other western countries also have same-sex partners, officials said. India, therefore, decided against encroaching upon the privacy of US officials and risking an adverse reaction from the international community, they added.

The issue came up when the external affairs ministry and other departments held brainstorming sessions to decide on withdrawal of special privileges extended to US diplomats. BJP leader Yashwant Sinha had advocated such a measure, referring to the apex court ruling.