US Secretary of State John Kerry has called a top Indian official to express his regret over the arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat in New York City.
State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said Kerry on Wednesday called India's National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, who has slammed the diplomat's treatment as "despicable and barbaric".
Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, is accused of submitting false documents to obtain a work visa for her housekeeper.
Harf said Kerry believes it's important for foreign diplomats serving in the United States to be treated with respect.
She said Kerry expressed his regret and said he hoped the incident would not damage the close relationship the US has with India.
