US apologises for interrogating Civil Aviation minister

Sept 29 (FLS): Another insulting moment came for the Indian ministry after US once again  interrogated one of the Indian ministers .However, as a part of  diplomatic policy of the US the Homeland Security has asked pardon from the Indian government after it probed Civil Aviation minster Mr. Praful Patel in O’Hare airport.

Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of US Homeland security apologized the minister for making confusion over his identity and probing him.

Praful Patel who was questioned by the immigration authorities in Chicago as his name and date of birth happened to match with that of a person on America’s watch-list. Patel, who was in Chicago on a private visit and flew to Montreal for attending an official engagement, was stopped and quizzed.

In the interrogation, the minister was asked what the purpose of his visit was and whether he had stayed in US earlier.

However, the minister tried to down play the entire episode and told that nothing serious happened. He said that there was a similar person with similar name and date of birth as a result they just double-checked him.

Brian Bell, the Public Affairs Liaison for Customs and Border Protection at O’Hare International Airport told PTI that it is common for them to deal with people whose names are on the US Watch List but they let off the person if he is not of interest.

The Homeland Secretary also gave an assurance that the US will do whatever required making necessary amends to prevent any such incidents in the future, Civil Aviation Ministry officials said.

Get Updates by eMail: Submit eMail Here