MEA summons US diplomat over 'pat-down' search of Shankar

New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) India Saturday lodged a strong
protest with the US for subjecting Ambassador Meera Shankar
to 'pat-down' security check at an American airport as Deputy
Chief of US Embassy here was summoned to the Ministry of
External Affairs.
Donald Lu was called in by Javed Ashra, Joint
Secretary (Americas) in the MEA, at 12.30 PM to convey "strong
concern" over screening of Shankar at the Mississippi Airport
on December 4, sources said.
The US official was told that the action was "contrary
to the normal diplomatic practice and inconsistent with the
excellent relations that India and the US enjoy", the sources
said.
Ashraf referred to External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna's assertion that such incidents are "unacceptable" and
said the US State Department and the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) should sensitise all their agents at all
the airports to ensure proper privileges and courtesies are
extended to Indian Ambassador and diplomats.
"Despite the fact that the Indian Mission had followed
State Department guidelines for expeditious clearance for the
Ambassador, she was escorted by the TSA officials.
"She had pointed her diplomatic identity but had to
undergo the security checks because, as we have been informed,
she was wearing a sari," Ashraf told the American diplomat.
The Indian official told Lu, "we understand and
respect every country's security procedure but we also expect
that normal diplomatic privileges and courtesies are extended
to the Ambassador and diplomats."
The American diplomat was told that India expects that
the State Department and the TSA would "sensitise all its
agents at all its airports to cultural and religious
sensitivities of foreign diplomats."
Ashraf pointed out that India respects the privileges
of foreign diplomats in India and extends diplomatic
courtesies to them. "Such incidents naturally lead to calls
for review of privileges and facilities given in India (to
foreign diplomats)," he said. PTI AKK
SMT