Do you think the Indian government is overreacting to the ‘Khobragade’ episode or is its reaction completely justified?
MBA students of Delhi University’s Faculty of Management Studies respond:
New Delhi was recently outraged by the treatment (post arrest) meted out to its deputy consul in New York, Devyani Khobragade, a 1999 batch IFS officer. With Washington arguing that their actions were based on standard procedures, India feels otherwise. India retaliated by withdrawing certain privileges for US diplomats based in India, and demanded an apology, followed by retroactive immunity.
While some of this uproar does seem justified, one should not be carried away by nationalistic passion. One needs to understand that the charges against the Indian diplomat are of a serious nature. The Government’s reaction, with Salman Khurshid making an emotional statement in Parliament, and those of other political parties as well, seem to have ulterior political motives, ahead of the general elections next year.
One can only hope the matter is resolved quickly and amicably by both sides.
-Dhruvjot S. Sehgal
While her (Khobragade’s) limited diplomatic immunity entitled her to be treated with dignity, how can we demand that the US drop charges against her, just because she is a diplomat? It is true that she was not treated as per the norms, but withdrawing security to the US consulate in New Delhi in a display of anger only exacerbates the issue.
-Apurv Jain
The sequence of events that transpired in the last week or so in political circles has been embarrassing and abominable. The Government yielding to media pressure is inexplicable. As a nation, we are becoming extremely hypocritical. On one hand, we accuse Italy of placing nationalism over humanity in the Kerala fishermen murder case and, on the other, when the onus is on us, we do the very same. We need to understand that every nation has the right to safeguard its laws. And regardless of who the person in question is, investigations and trials take their due course. Until the verdict on Khobragade is out, she has to abide by the due process of law.
-Bhanu P. Singh
The reaction that the Indian government has shown to the arrest of Khobragade is disproportionate and over-the-top. Though her arrest and subsequent procedures were not befitting a diplomat of her stature, the Indian political class has been opportunistic in playing to the gallery in an election year. Since diplomacy is based on the principle of reciprocity, the investigation of the employment terms and conditions of domestic helps by US diplomats posted on missions to India, and checking for subsequent violations is strong enough to send a message. But suspension of special privileges that US diplomats enjoy is shirking the responsibility that the Geneva Convention assigns the host nation.
The Indian political class and television media should deal with the matter in a sensible manner.
-Pratik Marfatia
The Indian government is over-reacting on the issue. Such incidents have occurred several times in the past, with the likes of George Fernandes , Abdul Kalam, etc.
The reaction of the Government appears to be politically-driven rather than rational. At present, the Government is in a reactive mode and not proactive one.
-Rajiv Singh
India is totally justified in its strong reaction towards the US regarding the Khobragade episode. By arresting and hand-cuffing Indian diplomat accused of not paying minimum wages to her Indian domestic staff, the US has shown its double standards. Back in February 2011, a US diplomat in Pakistan, Raymond Davis, was accused of a double murder and, when he was detained, the US invoked the Vienna convention to argue that he enjoys diplomatic immunity.
Then why doesn’t the same apply to Devyani Khobragade. India should continue with its tough stand until and unless an apology is tendered by the US.
-Saad Abdullah
Strict adherence to the law is a phenomenon to which many of us in India are not accustomed. This results in behaviour that is eccentric and uncalled for whenever any international incident occurs. Be it the detention of Shahrukh Khan or harsh treatment extended to Devyani Khobragade, we have been quite unreasonable, needlessly attaching national sentiment to a bilateral issue. Politicians are using it as an election weapon and the episode has drawn a lot more attention than needed. Mature ministers can comment on the episode in a manner that protects the interests of bilateral ties and, at the same time, the respect of both nations. There are bigger issues that need the time, effort and attention of the bureaucrats than their making an unnecessary fuss about this. Devyani has been accused of certain activities that are not permissible under US law and, hence, has to face the consequences. We do need counselling to understand that the law is the law.
-Saurabh Bhuwania
India is known to be a non-aggressive country that has stuck to the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. It has respected diplomats from other countries and made them feel at home here. But the Indian government now seems to be coming out of its ‘soft-power’ mode and is displaying its mettle in world politics through its reaction to the way its diplomat was treated by the US authorities. The ill treatment meted out to of the diplomat, who was handcuffed and strip-searched, was quite unnecessary and the episode could have been handled better by the US authorities. I consider the reaction of refusing recognition to US diplomats by India to be of adequate magnitude and would help the world know that India doesn’t accept such acts against its people meekly and they should expect a strong reaction from India’s end. This reaction would surely make the US authorities look deeper into the whole issue and make them think twice before they take similar action against an Indian diplomat.
-Tapan Waval
Indian foreign policy, so far, has been criticised for being pacifying and lacking strength, especially on issues that are important for the prestige of the country. A strong response was missing when we faced incursions from the Chinese troops in J&K or when our soldiers were decapitated by Pakistani intruders. Even the response to 26/11 can be termed as weak. This time, India has reacted strongly to clearly show its displeasure to the US at the mistreatment of its diplomat Devyani Khobragade.
One part of the story is that she violated certain visa rules and underpaid her maid and, hence, should be dealt with as per the law of the land. The other part is the humiliation meted to her by handcuffing and strip-searching her and locking her up with drug addicts. This is certainly not the treatment expected for a diplomat, even one not having full immunity, and not to forget, a woman. India should protest against the way she was treated and humiliated. It’s time that we take appropriate steps befitting a country of India’s stature.
-Vimal Kishore
The Government’s reaction to Khobragade’s “treatment” may be justified to the extent that she had to undergo a cavity search in spite of her being a diplomat and representing India’s sovereignty.
But, like it or not, one must accept that Khobragade has broken a law and has denied her maid her basic right to a minimum wage. So the government denying any wrong-doing on her part is unjustified. If Khobragade’s salary is $4000 a year and she can’t afford a domestic help at the minimum wage, she should not have one, like more than 99 per cent of the Americans. If we expect foreigners to respect our law when in India, we must respect theirs when abroad, diplomat or not.
-Vineet Jain