DIPLOMATIC TENSION BETWEEN INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES.

Looking back at the sequence of events that led to the worst diplomatic spat between New

Delhi and Washington.

New Delhi and Washington are in the midst of an unprecedented diplomatic row, triggered by

the arrest of an Indian envoy in New York. Devyani Khobragade, the India deputy consul-

general, was arrested, handcuffed, stripped-searched and then briefly lodged in a cell with drug

addicts in New York. On charges that she underpaid her nanny and lied in her visa application-

mentioning a much higher wage than she actually paid her.

Reports say Khobragade was required to pay Sangeetha Richards, the nanny, a minimum wage

 under United States rules. Incidentally, the Indian government says Khobragade’s own salary as

a government official was about $4,100.

The Indian government has reacted with fury at the official’s “public humiliation”. While

members of Indian parliament vented their anger, police removed security barricades at the US

embassy in New Delhi and curtailed several privileges extended to United  States staff in India-

including free access at airports.

New Delhi says the United States acted against Khobragade, ignoring court proceedings

pending against the nanny in an Indian court. India is demanding an unconditional apology from

the United States. John Kerry, the United State Secretary of State, has offered regret.

But emotions are still running high and relations between the two global powers have hit a new low. 

AN IMMIGRANT ARRESTED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT.

A Uniondale man was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident in Hempstead, New York,

last month, Nassau police said. Police said Kenechukwu Okoli, 59, was driving a 1997 Mercedes-

Benz north on Henry Street about 7:55 am. On Nov. 20 when he stopped in front of a Village of

Hempstead police crossing guard who was helping children cross the street.

Okoli stopped at the cross walk, but then “decided to keep going”, and clipped the side of the

crossing guard’s leg, a Nassau police spokeswoman said. Okoli kept driving and left the scene,

police said. The victim suffered bruising to her knee and hip and was taken to a hospital.

After an investigation, police arrested Okoli at his home on Campus Street on Tuesday. He is

charged with third-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident. He is scheduled to be

arraigned January, 2014 at First District Court in Hemptead, police said.

Olakunle O. Bolarinwa,

Is a Nightline Family Member Of The Voice Of America {VOA}.       

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