The Indian government has assured that it is taking action against 43 officials posted in Indian missions abroad, who are facing a variety of charges, including corruption and dereliction of duty.
“Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure,” said Vikas Swarup, the spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry (MEA). He said that some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff, and the cases are being dealt with as per procedures.
Earlier, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar was recalled after a member of staff at the Indian diplomatic mission alleged that he was assaulted by Sharmila Thapar, wife of Mr Thapar. The issue has once again raised concerns about the conduct of Indian diplomats posted abroad.
Last month, a chef had alleged that Mrs Thapar assaulted him and kept him in slavery, following which the high commissioner was recalled based on the inquiry report.
Mr Thapar, however, denied that the staff member was assaulted by his wife and said he was returning to India to take care of his mother. Mr Swarup assured that further inquiries will be conducted in the matter.
So far, the Indian government has received 43 such complaints on a variety of charges, including corruption in the last three years. It received six complaints in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014 against officials in Indian missions.
It has received eight complaints each from the missions in the UK and Madagascar alone since 2012. From the UK, the government received two complaints in 2012, one in 2013 and five last year. In addition, countries like Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Botswana, Thailand, Zambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa and Mali have also added in the number of complaints against Indian Embassy staff.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
DiplomacyApril 23, 2024Resetting West Asia, re-booting the world, but not fast enough: T.S. Tirumurti- India and the WorldApril 22, 2024India’s G20 Legacy: Mainstreaming Africa, Global South in global agenda
- DiplomacyApril 10, 2024Diplomat-author Lakshmi Puri pitches for women power at LSR
- India and the WorldApril 6, 2024UN envoy pitches to take India’s solutions to the world stage
