When trying to win a diplomatic spat, the ability to make life a little less comfortable for the other country’s citizens by denying them diplomatic privileges and an expat lifestyle, can prove a useful weapon.
India this week tightened the screws on the U.S. Embassy and American citizens in New Delhi as part of an ongoing row over the arrest of one of its mid-ranking diplomats in New York in December.
The government told the U.S. to shut down its club for American expats and stop operating shops and other commercial establishments in its embassy compound by Jan. 16, an Indian government official familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
This means no more dining at the restaurant, swimming in the pool or playing on the soccer field or tennis court for members of the elite American Community Support Association, popularly known as American Club. These perks, reserved for members who have to be recommended by a U.S. diplomat before they are granted membership, are rare in Delhi where open-air swimming pools and places serving steak aren’t the norm.
On top of this, the Indian government in recent days banned the embassy from screening movies at the American center in the capital, until they obtain a proper license.
Normal diplomatic immunity from traffic rules will no longer apply to U.S. embassy diplomats, the official added. Local traffic police “have been asked to make no exception,” with the U.S. Embassy cars, the official said.
via India Hits U.S. Where it Hurts: In the Club – India Real Time – WSJ.
CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 
Leave a comment