DHAKA: India on Tuesday hardened its stance further against the US for the humiliation meted out to its deputy consul general in New York Devyani Khobragade with Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi refusing to meet a visiting US congressional delegation.

India home ministry officials said Shinde is busy in Parliament and, hence, he will not be in a position to meet the American delegation.

However, the home minister’s programme, which was prepared on Monday evening, had clearly mentioned the scheduled meeting at 5pm.

Officials said the meeting was cancelled on Tuesday morning.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has also refused to meet the visiting US delegation.

‘Refused to meet the visiting USA delegation in solidarity with our nation, protesting ill-treatment meted to our lady diplomat in USA,’ tweeted the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.

Meanwhile, India has asked US to return all ID cards issued to their consular officers posted in the country, the PTI reported quoting government sources, reports The Times of India.

Earlier, the US virtually justified the reported strip-search by New York police of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, saying ‘standard procedures’ have been followed during her arrest.

‘Diplomatic security, which is under the state department purview, followed standard procedures during her arrest,’ state department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at her daily news conference.

BDST: 1614 HRS, DEC 17, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor