India mulling shut down of American Embassy Club

[illusion8]

In a move that will convey India's strong displeasure to Washington, the government is considering a proposal to shut the American Community Support Association (ACSA), which is the American embassy club in New Delhi, as part of measures to put pressure on the US in the Devyani case.

Highly placed sources told Mail Today that a deadline of 10 days will be given to the US which will also mean that it now has to decide if it will issue a G1 visa giving immunity to Khobragade or face more Indian action to bring diplomatic protocol strictly at par with other countries. The US is yet to grant the G1 visa to Khobragade.

ACSA has a restaurant, a swimming pool, a soccer field besides a host of facilities which are used by American diplomats and US nationals in India. It also has a tennis court the membership which is a privilege for few. To become a member, one has to be recommended by a US diplomat in India. The closure of the tennis facility will be a severe setback for not only US diplomats but some in the Capital's elite who have been invited to ACSA, which is a second home to the American expatriate community in New Delhi.

India has added to pressure on Washington by telling the US interlocutors that there will be severe strain in the Indo-US ties if the US public prosecutor Preet Bharara on goes ahead with the "indictment" of Devyani, which will make the Khobragade case even more complex.

Earlier US ambassador Nancy Powell had to cancel a scheduled trip to Nepal after the foreign ministry refused to extend her special privileges that usually come with the job. As reported by Mail Today earlier, the Indian foreign ministry has also prepared a fresh set of proposals to add pressure on the US. They include scrutiny of allegations of tax violations by the US mission.

There is also a specific mention of an air ticket purchased by the US embassy for the husband and family of Sangeeta Richard, Devyani's maid who along with her family is in the protection of the US Department of Home Land security.

Also under the scanner are the movie screenings at the American Centre in New Delhi and in its other centres. The proposal suggests that the US was organising these screenings without any permissions or even the censor certificate, and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will be asked to examine this.

These measures form part of a set of proposals aimed at putting pressure on the US establishment to make them realise the seriousness of the situation.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has been a huge backer of the Indo-US relations has also distanced himself from the entire affair and has clearly said that the matter has to be settled by the diplomats, clearly endorsing the tough response of the foreign office in the entire issue.


Read more at: Devyani case: India mulling shut down of American Embassy Club : India, News - India Today

After Kerry and Powell, US boychoir says 'sorry'

After Secretary of State John Kerry and Ambassador Nancy Powell, it was the turn of a celebrated school choir from the US to express regret at the ugly turn of events that led to the humiliation of an Indian diplomat, an incident that caused a major downturn in Indo-US ties at the end of last year.

The Keystone State Boychoir from Philadelphia, that gave a two-hour concert to a packed auditorium at the India International Centre on Saturday evening, and got a standing ovation at the end, said they had heard about the diplomatic fiasco and were "deeply sorry" for whatever had happened.

"We cherish the friendship of the people of India and we are deeply sorry for what has happened," said Steven M. Fisher, the assistant director of the Boychoir that regaled the audience with a repertoire of Christmas carols, American folk and Indian hymns that were the favourite of Mahatma Gandhi. The visit of the all-boys's choir to India was facilitated by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and his greatgrandson Tushar Gandhi.

The choir group was advised that this was not the right time to visit India because of heightened anti-American sentiments inflamed by the diplomat row that was caused by the mistreatment and humiliation of Devyani Khobragade, a young Indian diplomat who worked at the Indian consulate in New York, over alleged visa fraud and violation of workers' rights following alleged exploitation of her Indian housemaid.

"But we found our reception in India incredibly warm," said Fisher.

He said the group was even advised by American embassy officials not to sing American songs, but found no hostility among Indian audiences during their performances in New Delhi and Gurgaon and also with the children of the Salaam Balak Trust that works for the welfare and development of street children.

The choir also visited and sang at the Gandhi Centre at Delhi University, at the footsteps of the Jama Masjid and visited Gandhi Smriti, the site where Gandhi was assassinated Jan 30, 1948, where they sang Zikr, an Islamic chant, and Ramkali, based on a Hindu raga.

The Boychoir has performed in all seven continents, including in the Antarctica.


Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...d-powell-us-boychoir-says-sorry/1/334532.html

 

[Juice]

A) if it's on embassy grounds....aint happening. B) Shutting down a tennis court isn't going to be the crushing blow you hope...and makes the GoI look like whining tards.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

ACSA has a restaurant, a swimming pool, a soccer field besides a host of facilities which are used by American diplomats and US nationals in India. It also has a tennis court the membership which is a privilege for few. To become a member, one has to be recommended by a US diplomat in India.

Hmm, does the club restaurant serve amazing food? Like some kind of cross-cultural fusion dishes?

You all know what I mean. Fusion.

 

[Contrarian]

A) if it's on embassy grounds....aint happening. B) Shutting down a tennis court isn't going to be the crushing blow you hope...and makes the GoI look like whining tards.

If its on embassy grounds it cant be stopped.
But this is just India throwing the legal handbook at US. Following protocol strictly now. Any concessions that were given earlier are being withdrawn no matter how big or how small.

 

[Juice]

If its on embassy grounds it cant be stopped.
But this is just India throwing the legal handbook at US. Following protocol strictly now. Any concessions that were given earlier are being withdrawn no matter how big or how small.

I understand that. But perhaps you over-estimate our fondness for tennis. And at a certain point...it does more damage to you than the US. Our diplomats have to miss a game of tennis? They, the government, and the US people will struggle through this tragedy. But other nations watch this behavior. Contrary to what the Indian masses may think...it doesn't make them look strong internationally...it makes them look like whining tools and losers.

 

[Contrarian]

I understand that. But perhaps you over-estimate our fondness for tennis. And at a certain point...it does more damage to you than the US. Our diplomats have to miss a game of tennis? They, the government, and the US people will struggle through this tragedy. But other nations watch this behavior. Contrary to what the Indian masses may think...it doesn't make them look strong internationally...it makes them look like whining tools and losers.

Doesnt really make a difference of what or how it looks internationally.

If its not legal or if its an extension of a courtesy India provided, it would be taken away. Simple issue really. If GoI is giving notice to the club, then it was not legal or without the required clearances. In that case it should be shut down. Not merely due to any means to pressure US, but simply following the golden principle of diplomacy - reciprocity.

US throws the book at India, India throws the book at US. That is how it should be. None should provide favour to either.

 

[Developereo]

Silly retaliations send their own message: India is afraid to do anything more substantive.

You strip search our diplomat, we'll ... uh... take away your peanut butter sandwiches.

 

[BDforever]

India must attack and invade USA

 

[Anubis]

India would have stopped playing cricket with USA if the US played cricket....so they are going after the alternative....Tennis....Very bold and smart move!

 

[Manvantaratruti]

Excellent news. As expected the crack down on US privileges in India continues and Indian has kept a steady escalation of the matter.

End of the day, the whole Indo US 'partnership' has taken a BIG hit, which is good news for India but bad news for the US.

The advisory by the US consulate asking the choir to keep away from singing american songs were hilarious. It shows the amount of paranoia the consulates are under How long before they crack under the pressure ?

 

[Juice]

Doesnt really make a difference of what or how it looks internationally.

If its not legal or if its an extension of a courtesy India provided, it would be taken away. Simple issue really. If GoI is giving notice to the club, then it was not legal or without the required clearances. In that case it should be shut down. Not merely due to any means to pressure US, but simply following the golden principle of diplomacy - reciprocity.

US throws the book at India, India throws the book at US. That is how it should be. None should provide favour to either.

Hate to say it, but in many ways international relations are based on simple perceptions as on how things "look". It will determine how other governments, corporations, etc. deal with you. And I hate to say it, but making someone lose a set of tennis...and the way you will be perceived internationally...is a poor trade....and reflects badly on the maturity of your government. Others will take note. It will not have one little difference in the case against that girl...but will spend immense political capitol to no effect other than ruining your standing. What is the shame...if handled better...India could have gotten immense political capitol from this incident...but they pissed it down their leg.

 

[Contrarian]

Silly retaliations send their own message: India is afraid to do anything more substantive.

You strip search our diplomat, we'll ... uh... take away your peanut butter sandwiches.

Major steps have already been taken. Now there is scrutiny on finer things or rather small things that - which were not legally allowed but India turned a blind eye to.

Major steps like All privileges of US diplomats have been taken away barring those which US provides to Indian diplomats. Almost all US diplomats in India were given protection from arrest, because apparently GoI was under the assumption that US provided the same to India.
Now a replica of those ID cards that US provides to Indian diplomats - and in same numbers - is given to US diplomats here. Only a few diplomats have immunity - the same number of Indian diplomats that are given immunity in US.

Live in and married gay partners of US diplomats were also given the same courtesy, now they are being treated as per Indian law which as you know has recently been changed by the Supreme Court.

There is a tax scrutiny going on all US embassy workers among other things.

Hate to say it, but in many ways international relations are based on simple perceptions as on how things "look". It will determine how other governments, corporations, etc. deal with you. And I hate to say it, but making someone lose a set of tennis...and the way you will be perceived internationally...is a poor trade....and reflects badly on the maturity of your government. Others will take note. It will not have one little difference in the case against that girl...but will spend immense political capitol to no effect other than ruining your standing. What is the shame...if handled better...India could have gotten immense political capitol from this incident...but they pissed it down their leg.

I think its quite the other way round.
I think it will give a clear message that unlike how many other South Asian nations are treated. India is not willing to have and give unequal privileges and relaations no matter how big or small.

If other countries throw the book at us, we throw the book at them. I think this would be quite clear to the international community. Its a question of how you put across your actions.

 

[Dandpatta]

This is going a bit too far... but well.

 

[Developereo]

Major steps have already been taken. Now there is scrutiny on finer things or rather small things that - which were not legally allowed but India turned a blind eye to.

In poker, you up the ante.

This is going backwards.

You are right about the major actions but, compared to the earlier major actions, this thing with the Embassy Club just looks petty.

Do you really think that, if the earlier major actions didn't send the message to Americans, this Embassy Club thing will shake them up?

 

[Contrarian]

In poker, you up the ante.

This is going backwards.

You are right about the major actions but, compared to the earlier major actions, this thing with the Embassy Club just looks petty.

There is only so many major actions mate. Its not as if US was running a smuggling ring from India which we were turning a blind eye to.

It was clearly stated that any and all privileges provided to the US diplomats and their families would be withdrawn regardless of how big or how small.