Shankar case: US envoy rapped

The ministry of external affairs on Saturday called in deputy chief of mission Donald Lu to protest against the 'pat-down' search Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar had to undergo at the Jackson-Evers International Airport in Mississippi on December 4.

The ministry of external affairs on Saturday called in deputy chief of mission Donald Lu to protest against the 'pat-down' search Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar had to undergo at the Jackson-Evers International Airport in Mississippi on December 4.

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Lu was told that such incidents could lead to calls for a review of privileges and facilities American diplomats enjoyed in India, ministry sources said. “Lu was told that we understand and respect every country’s security procedures, but we also expect that normal diplomatic privileges and courtesies are extended to our diplomats,” a ministry source said.

It was also conveyed that India expected the US state department would sensitise all its agents to cultural and religious sensitivities of foreign diplomats.