Uttam Khobragade, father of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, has thanked and expressed his gratitude to the Indian government, media and public for supporting his daughter’s case that eventually led to her returning back to India without being prosecuted for visa fraud.
On Thursday, a United States jury indicted her for visa fraud and making false statements regarding her maid but was allowed to return to India with full diplomatic immunity, which she had been granted earlier on January 8.
“My daughter couldn't have made it back to India without the entire nation's support” he said, addressing news channels soon after the news of Devyani’s homeward journey spread. “I want to express my gratitude and thanks to the people of India, all political parties, entire media, ministry of external affairs, prime minister for their support during this crisis our family had to undergo”, he said.
Khobragade said Devyani was a proud Indian fighting for India’s sovereignty and hence, she refused to “compromise” when an offer was made. The offer was to accept that she paid less to the maid and pay a fine for the case to be dropped. He said had she accepted the offer she could still stay in US but, as a proud Indian, she “gave more importance to the judicial system of India over the personal relief she was being offered and decided that her country’s sovereignty was dearer than personal life”.
When asked if the controversy had affected Indo-US relations, he said the crisis had been created by the US administration in the first place and if it did affect the relations, then it was their (US administration’s) doing.
{{/usCountry}}When asked if the controversy had affected Indo-US relations, he said the crisis had been created by the US administration in the first place and if it did affect the relations, then it was their (US administration’s) doing.
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