India protests US arrest of diplomat over alleged visa fraud

India on Friday lodged protest against the U.S. over the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York on charges of visa fraud and mistreatment of a housekeeper. Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh summoned U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy Powell following the arrest of its Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade. Singh lodged protest against the U.S. for the "treatment" to the diplomat who was arrested in New York for alleged visa fraud and exploitation of a housekeeper. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India is shocked and appalled by what the U.S. has done to its diplomat in New York and New Delhi is "forcefully taking up with the U.S." over the arrest which he said is "unacceptable". The 38-year-old diplomat was arrested by U.S. police when she was dropping her daughter off at school. She later pleaded not guilty at a U.S. court before being released with a 250,000 U.S. dollar bail. The Indian Embassy in Washington has conveyed its "strong concern to the U.S. Government over the action taken against Khobragade while urging the U.S. side "to resolve the matter with due sensitivity." Visiting Indian officials and celebrities have complained from time to time about treatment by U.S. police at airports and customs in the past. However, this is the first time an Indian diplomat was ill-treated by U.S. authorities.