MEA Intervenes After Russian Consulate Alleges Repeated Police Interceptions in Kolkata
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has intervened following a formal complaint by the Russian Consulate General in Kolkata regarding alleged violations of diplomatic immunity. The Consulate reported that its diplomatic vehicle was stopped and subjected to attempted inspection by local police on two separate occasions, April 14 and April 16, despite officers being informed of its status. Citing the Vienna Convention, which protects diplomatic vehicles from search, the Consulate urged the MEA to address these breaches with relevant authorities. In response, the MEA escalated the issue to the West Bengal state government. Avadh Singhal, an official from the state government, issued directives to senior police officials, including the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, to ensure strict compliance with diplomatic protocols. The order has been circulated within the traffic police department to alert field officers. This incident occurs amidst heightened police vigilance in West Bengal as the state prepares for upcoming elections. The intervention highlights the diplomatic sensitivities involved and the procedural mechanisms used to resolve such international protocol disputes at the local level.
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MEA Intervenes After Russian Consulate Alleges Repeated Police Interceptions in Kolkata
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has intervened following a formal complaint by the Russian Consulate General in Kolkata regarding alleged violations of diplomatic immunity. The Consulate reported that its diplomatic vehicle was stopped and subjected to attempted inspection by local police on two separate occasions, April 14 and April 16, despite officers being informed of its status. Citing the Vienna Convention, which protects diplomatic vehicles from search, the Consulate urged the MEA to address these breaches with relevant authorities. In response, the MEA escalated the issue to the West Bengal state government. Avadh Singhal, an official from the state government, issued directives to senior police officials, including the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, to ensure strict compliance with diplomatic protocols. The order has been circulated within the traffic police department to alert field officers. This incident occurs amidst heightened police vigilance in West Bengal as the state prepares for upcoming elections. The intervention highlights the diplomatic sensitivities involved and the procedural mechanisms used to resolve such international protocol disputes at the local level.
The Indian Express