It was only after weeks of hardball diplomacy by India did the U.S. agree to send her back home and not prosecute her.

In retaliation, New Delhi expelled an American diplomat.

India has neither been "petty" nor "irresponsible" in "a vindictive campaign against U.S. diplomats in New Delhi", as the Washington Post said in a recent editorial, a diplomatic source said, noting that diplomatic privileges cannot be a one-way street.

Sridharan Madhusudhanan, press counsellor at the Indian embassy in Washington, said in a letter to the Post that U.S. "officials posted in consulates have been issued identity cards with stipulations similar to those their Indian counterparts receive in the U.S.

"Securing immunities and privileges for US officials abroad is best done by respecting international conventions and according entitled courtesies in the U.S." he wrote.

India has demanded that Indian diplomats be afforded "the same immunities and courtesies under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations that the U.S. government seeks for its officials posted abroad."

"Immunity is the fundamental concept on which diplomats operate," another diplomatic source said.

"The U.S. is very reluctant to commit and very quick to ask," the source said, taking a look back at the Khobragade affair that has threatened to derail one of "the most important relationships" for both nations.
Read more:
India, U.S.Hope To Put Devyani Khobragade Affair Behind Them
Diplomatic Privileges Are Not A One Way Street