<p>India Friday expelled an American diplomat involved in the case of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade after she was told to fly home following her indictment by a US grand jury.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Official sources said the US embassy was "asked to withdraw forthwith a US diplomat of similar rank as Khobragade". <br /><br />"We have reason to believe that the officer was closely involved in the processes related to the (Khobragade case) and the subsequent unilateral action by the US side," a source said.<br /><br />The US embassy could not be immediately reached for comments. The name of the expelled American diplomat was not known.<br /><br />Khobragade, arrested and strip-searched for alleged visa fraud last month, was asked to leave the US after being formally indicted by a US grand jury Thursday.<br /><br />External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin earlier said that Khobragade had been given a G1 visa with full diplomatic immunity, and was on her way back to India.<br /><br />Khobragade's handcuffing and strip-search Dec 12 for alleged visa fraud and for allegedly underpaying her child's nanny caused a major row between New Delhi and Washington.<br /><br />At the time of her arrest, Devyani, 39, was India's deputy consul general in New York.<br /><br />Prosecutors said that after Khobragade was granted immunity, US officials told her to leave the country.<br /><br />In a statement after the grand jury hearing, her lawyer Daniel Arshack said Khobragade "is pleased to be returning to her country. <br /><br />"Her head is held high. She knows she has done no wrong and she looks forward to assuring that the truth is known".<br /><br />Her father Uttam Khobragade thanked the Indian government for his daughter's return.<br /><br />"It is only because of the entire Indian government's effort, my daughter is returning to India with full diplomatic immunity," he said.<br /><br />The external affairs ministry said Khobragade was accorded Jan 8 the privileges and immunities of a diplomatic envoy.<br /><br />"At the same time, the US government requested the government of India to waive (her) immunity.<br /><br />"On Jan 9, India declined to do so and transferred Khobragade to the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi."<br /><br />Khobragade reiterated her innocence. "She also affirmed her determination to ensure that the episode would not leave a lasting impact on her family, in particular, her children, who are still in the US," an official statement said.</p>
<p>India Friday expelled an American diplomat involved in the case of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade after she was told to fly home following her indictment by a US grand jury.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Official sources said the US embassy was "asked to withdraw forthwith a US diplomat of similar rank as Khobragade". <br /><br />"We have reason to believe that the officer was closely involved in the processes related to the (Khobragade case) and the subsequent unilateral action by the US side," a source said.<br /><br />The US embassy could not be immediately reached for comments. The name of the expelled American diplomat was not known.<br /><br />Khobragade, arrested and strip-searched for alleged visa fraud last month, was asked to leave the US after being formally indicted by a US grand jury Thursday.<br /><br />External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin earlier said that Khobragade had been given a G1 visa with full diplomatic immunity, and was on her way back to India.<br /><br />Khobragade's handcuffing and strip-search Dec 12 for alleged visa fraud and for allegedly underpaying her child's nanny caused a major row between New Delhi and Washington.<br /><br />At the time of her arrest, Devyani, 39, was India's deputy consul general in New York.<br /><br />Prosecutors said that after Khobragade was granted immunity, US officials told her to leave the country.<br /><br />In a statement after the grand jury hearing, her lawyer Daniel Arshack said Khobragade "is pleased to be returning to her country. <br /><br />"Her head is held high. She knows she has done no wrong and she looks forward to assuring that the truth is known".<br /><br />Her father Uttam Khobragade thanked the Indian government for his daughter's return.<br /><br />"It is only because of the entire Indian government's effort, my daughter is returning to India with full diplomatic immunity," he said.<br /><br />The external affairs ministry said Khobragade was accorded Jan 8 the privileges and immunities of a diplomatic envoy.<br /><br />"At the same time, the US government requested the government of India to waive (her) immunity.<br /><br />"On Jan 9, India declined to do so and transferred Khobragade to the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi."<br /><br />Khobragade reiterated her innocence. "She also affirmed her determination to ensure that the episode would not leave a lasting impact on her family, in particular, her children, who are still in the US," an official statement said.</p>