New Delhi, December 31
US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell today expressed “regret” for the circumstances under which India’s Deputy Counsul General in New York Devyani Khobragade was arrested. She believed that it would not cast a shadow on the expanding bilateral relations, even as New Delhi insisted it is serious about the process it initiated in pursuing the case.

With India withdrawing extra privileges to the US diplomats post-Devyani arrest, Powell, in a message on the eve of New Year, said: “I join Secretary of State John Kerry in expressing our regret for the circumstances of the consular officer’s arrest, but we believe that we can look forward to continuing to expand our bilateral relations.”

Conveying the US government’s stand, she insisted that forward movement on a wide range of issues was “jolted by very different reactions to issues involving one of your consular officers and her domestic worker”, an indication that both Washington was not prepared to accept New Delhi calling to question the move, including moving the family of domestic help Sangeeta Richards to the United States.

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin today said it was ascertaining whether a diplomatic card was used to fly out the family and if any infringement occurred in purchase of tickets for a non-diplomatic activity as it entailed taxes.

As for the accreditation of Khobragade with the UN, the MEA said at no stage was she asked of any additional entitlement and lawyers found out the position. The spokesperson said it was for the US to ascertain since an international organisation like the United Nations informs host countries people who have been granted access to UN General Assembly.

The MEA said on account of holiday season, the US embassy had sought time to submit information on salaries and other details for staff employed at its missions in India as it requires time to collect and collate information that was to be submitted by December 23.

The Ministry has also set up a group of special officers to go into a variety of subjects and follow-up on regular basis, and, if required, on a day-to-day basis, and prepare a strong response against the alleged visa fraud case. “We are serious about the process and pursuing it and will share the outcome…we are working everyday'', the spokesperson said.

Devyani’s arrest on December 12 and the manner in which she treated caused an outrage in India, insisting the Central government to push for the withdrawal of the case and dropping of all charges against the 39-year-old Indian Foreign Service officer. Khobragade was arrested on the charges of underpaying her domestic worker and false contract documents.