India told US to sensitise its agents at airports so that they don’t view anyone who wears a Saree, Burqa or a Turban as a potential terrorist.
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NEW DELHI: (AMN) Following intense protest from India over the ‘humiliation’ meted out to its ambassador Meera Shankar at Jackson-Evers International Airport, the United States of America on Saturday formally tendered an official apology to India and Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar.
Meera Shankar ‘pat down’ by an American security agent on December 4 at the Jackson-Evers International Airport evoked sharp reactions in India both at official as well as political level.
The US government said that Meera’s pat down was not meant to be a put down, while promising a review of airport screening guidelines, said.
According to CNN IBN news channel, a senior State Department official William Burns, personally conveyed his regrets and promised Meera a review of airport screening guidelines.
Earlier India lodged a strong protest with the US. Deputy Chief of US Embassy Donald Lu was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge the protest. Donald Lu was called in by Javed Ashra, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the MEA, to convey strong concern over screening of Shankar at the Mississippi Airport on December 4.
The US official was told that the action was contrary to the normal diplomatic practice and inconsistent with the excellent relations that India and the US enjoy. The US government was also told that it should sensitise its agents at airports so that they don’t view anyone who wears a Saree, Burqa or a Turban as a potential terrorist.