Diplomat arrest case: Curbs cast shadow on Christmas for US diplomats

The US embassy in Delhi has a full-fledged commissary where these items are sold to American diplomats. The consulates in Mumbai,Kolkata,Chennai and Hyderabad also have a similar system for making these duty-free items available to their staff. Sources said the commissary stocks luncheon meat,cheese,cold cuts,salamis,breads,pasta,antipasti,gnochhi,chocolates and even water.

We used to get our fill of cold cuts,cheese and wine through the commissary,but now we will have to make other arrangements, an American diplomats wife is learnt to have told her Indian friends.

However,an American diplomat said,India is not Afghanistan or Iraq. In India,we get everything in the shopping malls and prominent markets,like Khan Market and Defence Colony in Delhi. The only thing is that they may be a bit more expensive… but we will not let this spoil our Christmas and New Year parties.

Several European diplomats have volunteered to help out,said an American diplomat. Even a Russian colleague told me not to worry about the duty-free provisions. I think thats very sweet on their part, said another American diplomat. When contacted,Lee McManis,acting spokes-person at the US embassy,said,We are reviewing all requests we have received from the Government of India. The US embassy in New Delhi has provided interim responses to Indias diplomatic notes. He refused to elaborate further.

Meanwhile,with many American diplomats travelling or on holiday during this time of the year,the Indian government is learnt to have conveyed that the deadline for submitting their identity cards may be flexible.

A decision will be taken on Tuesday. The government has also withdrawn special airport access passes,removed traffic barricades around the US embassy,and sought tax details of diplomats spouses and family members working in India. They have also sought the details of Indian employees working in the US embassy and its consulates,and their pay structure.