US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz planned visit to India has been cancelled, a US Energy Department official said Wednesday, amid deteriorating relations between the two countries.
“I can confirm that Secretary Moniz is no longer traveling to India next week,” the official told Reuters. “We have been in conversation with Indian counterparts about the dates, and we have agreed to hold the dialogue in the near future at a mutually convenient date.”
Relations between the two countries became strained after the December arrest of a female Indian consular official in New York, who said she was humiliated and strip-searched while in custody. Devyani Khobragade was arrested on suspicion of visa fraud, but India says she should have benefited from diplomatic immunity.
Since the arrest, India has reduced privileges for US diplomats in India, including limiting immunity in cases of serious offenses and no longer offering diplomatic ID cards to the families of US consular staff.
In addition, all US diplomatic vehicles will now be fined for traffic-related offenses such as unauthorized parking and running red lights.
The announcement by the US Energy Department came after India asked the US Embassy on Wednesday to stop all commercial activities at its sports and leisure section in New Delhi.
Reports also say the US National Security Agency (NSA) has targeted Indian diplomatic mission on the US soil over the past few months. The latest developments are set to further deteriorate relations between the two countries.
AHT/ARA
Source: Press TV