But federal prosecutors have wide discretion, and the State Department, before the criminal investigation, could have urged India to reassign Ms. Khobragade to New Delhi and required her to make restitution," the Times suggested.

"The United States has to make sure that foreign diplomats understand American laws, although the indictment says that this defendant knew exactly what she was doing," the daily said.

At the same time, "America should also re-examine its own demands for special privileges for its diplomats overseas," the Times said endorsing the Indian stand that diplomatic privileges cannot be a one-way street.

"More broadly, the case has exposed differences between the two countries over such basic concepts as fairness and equality, while revealing a troubling level of Indian animosity toward the United States," it said.

Noting that the "two governments are trying to turn the page by resuming high-level meetings," the Times said "it will take more than that to achieve the 'global strategic partnership' with India that President (Barack) Obamahas boasted about."
Readmore:
Americans Unlikely To Get Back Their Privileges Soon
Diplomatic Privileges Are Not A One Way Street