State Dept withdrawing US diplomat from India after expulsion demand, hopes for better ties

WASHINGTON – The State Department says a U.S. diplomat will be leaving India after New Delhi called for the American official’s expulsion in retaliation for the arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat in New York.

Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday the U.S. deeply regrets that the Indian government felt it was necessary to expel an American diplomat but hopes the case will now come to closure and that India will take “significant steps” to improve ties that have been badly strained by the case.

Indian deputy consul general in New York Devyani Khobragade was heading home Friday from the U.S. She had been indicted on charges of exploiting her Indian-born housekeeper but also granted immunity that allowed her to leave the country.

Psaki did not identify the American diplomat.