New Delhi: Commercial activities inside the U.S. embassy premises in Delhi are set to cease from Thursday. And although the Indo-U.S. diplomatic row may have abated, these facilities are unlikely to be restored soon.

American diplomats in India enjoy exceptional privileges and have been allowed to run a club, a duty-free liquor shop and other goods and leisure activities from the premises of their embassy.

Indian authorities have for long adopted what in diplomatic parlance is known as a reciprocal wink-and-nod policy.

India has informed the U.S. that the commercial activities undertaken from inside the embassy premises should cease by Jan 16.

Although the bitter India-U.S. row over an Indian diplomat may have been defused for now, Americans in Delhi are unlikely to get the swimming pool, hamburgers, bowling, booze and beauty parlour back anytime soon.

This is more so because the U.S. is loathe to accept the principle of reciprocity in the matter of diplomatic privileges and, those in the know here say, expect one-sided gestures.

Several commercial activities are undertaken under the aegis of the American Community Support Association (ACSA).

These include a restaurant/bar, video club, bowling alley, swimming pool, sports field beauty parlour and gym.
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