Will Indian government bailout Devayani

 

The stalemate between India and US over humiliation of Indian diplomat Devayani Kobragade seems gradually losing its intensity after India softens its voice against US, even while US firm on its stand. It reiterates that it doesn’t want to drop charges levied against the Indian diplomat and not ready to apologize India for its action.

 

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that, even if Indian government elevates her position to India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations, it will not immune her from the existing cases filed against her. So, I think some of the confusion here has been if there is a change in status, does that mean that there is a clean slate from past charges. There's not.”

 

Devayani was taken into custody, while she was dropping her daughter to school. After facing severe ill-treatment in the hands of New York police, she was released on a USD 250,000 bond after pleading not guilty in the court. Government of India, which has sharply reacted to the incident and taken several measures to register its anger has softens its tone now.

 

Union Minister Anand Sharma speaking to media has said, “The incident is very painful and very sensitive. We are trying to sort out the problem in different ways. At the same time, we will not let the incident create fissures in our bilateral relationship.”

 

If Indian government fails to bail her out of the charges, if convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 10 years for visa fraud and five years for making a false declaration.