Khobragade case: Diplomacy should be done with discreetness till talks are over, says Khurshid
New Delhi – External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday said a part of diplomacy should be done with certain degree of discreetness till diplomatic conversations are concluded.
“I am not sure I can really respond to the voices that have emerged authoritively or otherwise from different levels in India, or from the U.S. I think my duty and entitlement to be in conversation with my counterpart, which actually carries at the lower level. Lower than this level, there has been a contact between the State Department and the |Foreign Secretary,” he said in a joint press conference with Elias Jaua Milano, Venezuela’s Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Relations.
Commenting on the Devyani Khobragade case, he said, “I do believe that as long as we are in a conversation, and, that too in a meaningful conversation, like the one when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon, the day before. We have read out of that conversation as well. What could be done from our side in immediate reaction, we have already kept the media informed. What we have to do is to ensure that we take all the steps in order to protect the dignity and comfort of our diplomat posted in New York.”
Khurshid also said it would be uncalled and unfair if he reacts to any statement made by anybody about the status of the case and added that when the conservations reaches to a logical conclusion, and when there is an outcome, one way or the other, then we will be happy to share with you.
“We should remember on thing about diplomacy; some parts of the diplomacy have to be done in public view, while some should be done with certain degree of discreetness till such time the diplomatic conversations are concluded. This is how we see the situation,” he added.
“I am conscious of the fact that it is a valuable relation between two countries. It is a relationship where investments have been made not just by the government, but also, by private sector and individuals,” he said.
“I think when we deal with each other we have to keep in entire gamut of all the dimensions of our relation. That goes to both of us. I am sure they are equally conscious of this. If we think that it is necessary to preserve this relationship, then they should also be aware of it,” he added.
“The only question is what do you do, when something irksome, unacceptable and hurtful happens? You have to find a solution. And I hope, that we will also find a solution,” Khurshid said.
