India protests US arrest of diplomat

NEW DELHI - Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh Friday summoned US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell in connection with arrest of its Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade said official sources here.

Singh lodged a protest against the United States for the " treatment" to the diplomat who was arrested in New York for alleged visa fraud and exploitation of a housekeeper, said the sources.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman said "India is forcefully taking up the issue with the U.S.", which New Delhi said is " unacceptable".

The diplomat was arrested when she was dropping her daughter off to school Thursday. She pleaded not guilty at a U.S. court later.