With little forward movement on resolving the diplomatic row over Devyani Khobragade’s prosecution, the US State Department has sought to indicate that it is looking beyond the issue by focusing on moving the bilateral relationship forward even as the Department of Justice deals with the legal aspects of the case.
Although it is nearly a fortnight since the United Nations forwarded the papers relating to Khobragade’s reaccreditation to India’s Permanent Mission, a transfer that entitles her to full diplomatic immunity, the United States, as the host nation, is still to give its endorsement.
The matter is still under review, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters on Thursday. “We received it (the paperwork from UN) on December 20. It’s under review,” she said, adding: “We can’t predict when that review will be complete and can’t compare it to previous requests because each is different and we evaluate each on their own merits.”
“Broadly speaking, I think it’s important to take a step back. What we’re focused on at the State Department is moving forward with the bilateral relationship,” Harf said, adding: “Obviously, there’s a legal process that is ongoing; it’s separate. But we’re focused on moving this relationship forward, working together on all the issues we work together on all the time.”
While holding out no assurance in respect of the alleged visa fraud case brought up against Khobragade, with a formal indictment scheduled by January 13, Harf sought to advance the line that it is for the Department of Justice to deal with this matter.
Commenting that the Department of Justice and the Southern District of New York are handling discussions relating to the legal process, Harf said: “We think it’s important right now for there to be space for these private diplomatic conversations to continue. We obviously are committed to working with the Government of India on a way forward. The (US) ambassador obviously has been working on this a lot on the ground.”
Asked to elaborate on the private talks, the spokeswoman said: “We’re in constant conversation with the Government of India on this issue when they raise concerns or there have been a lot of demarches towards us. We’re having those discussions privately.” According to her, the Indian Government is also “having discussions with the judicial folks, which would be considered diplomatic discussions. But that’s certainly their ballgame, not ours.”
Harf also stuck to the stand that there have been communications back and forth with the Indian authorities on the Khobragde issue in the months prior to her December 12 arrest. The Indian Government has said that it is New Delhi which brought up a number of issues relating to ongoing injunction proceedings against the diplomat’s maid Sangeeta Richard, but without any response or action from Washington on serving summons to the maid who had gone missing last June.
Asked for details about the State Department’s communications with the Indian Government, the spokesperson maintained: “We prefer to keep those discussions private, in diplomatic channels. I’ve been very clear that we had constant communication with them throughout many months as this played itself out, but we keep them private for a reason.”