NEW DELHI, March 15 � Reacting strongly to the second indictment against its diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the US, India today said it was an �unnecessary� step and any measure consequent to the decision will �unfortunately� impact upon efforts on both sides to build the India-US strategic partnership.
Making clear that as far as India was concerned the case has no merit, the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said, now that Khobragade has returned, the court in the US has no jurisdiction in India over her and the government will therefore no longer engage on this case in the US legal system.
�We are disappointed that the relevant office of the United States Department of Justice chose to obtain a second indictment against Devyani Khobragade, despite the fact that the first indictment and arrest warrant were dismissed earlier this week,� the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said.
India�s reaction came after US prosecutors re-indicted her on visa fraud charges and accused the Indian diplomat of �illegally� underpaying and �exploiting� her domestic maid.
The second indictment, which came a day after a US court dismissed an earlier indictment, accused her of visa fraud and making false statements about the visa application of her maid Sangeeta Richard. � PTI
