NEW DELHI: Anguished over cash withdrawals caps, many foreign governments are contemplating “reciprocal” measures against Indian missions abroad, terming the measure a “serious breach” of the Vienna Convention.
In strong comments, Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps who represents the voice of 157 foreign missions here, said the “buck stops” at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s door and he should intervene to resolve the issue soon. “The fact that we cannot access our own funds in our bank accounts is a serious breach of Vienna convention and international diplomatic principles. This is the main constraint of a lot of ambassadors,” he said adding the Rs 50,000-a-week cap on withdrawals must be lifted.
Castellanos, ambassador of the Dominican Republic, said a number of embassies upset by India’s restrictions were studying the possibility of “reciprocating” similar steps against Indian diplomats in their countries. At the same time, he hoped the issue will be resolved soon and that such action by foreign governments will not be required.
“I am not saying all governments will do that but there might be governments who are already studying the possibility of raciprocating through Indian diplomats in their countries,” Castellanos told agencies. Asked if some countries may really take reciprocal steps, he said, “They say they are discussing with their ministries about the possibility of doing that.”
The Dean of Diplomatic Corps said all the embassies were facing difficulties ranging from paying casual labourers and hosting delegations to carrying out their day-to-day activities. “I am giving you consensus of the problems of all my colleagues. I am giving consensus of 157 missions. Some countries have sent letters (to Indian government) directly. The Russian embassy made its letter public. Some embassies sent letters but have not made them public. We are foreign missions accredited to India and there is something called reciprocity. We have certain benefits and we provide Indian diplomats in our countries the same benefits.”