In a recent development, India has firmly rejected a ruling by an Australian court, which mandated former Indian High Commissioner Navdeep Singh Suri to compensate a former domestic employee, Seema Sherghill, with approximately 136,000 Australian dollars plus interest. The compensation stemmed from Sherghill's claims of unfair working conditions and exploitation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India asserted on Thursday that Australian authorities lack the jurisdiction to adjudicate matters concerning India-based service staff of its high commission.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi addressed the issue during a press briefing, urging Canberra to uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. According to Bagchi, Sherghill allegedly deserted her post in May 2016, just before her scheduled return to India, despite holding an official passport and Australian diplomatic visa. Bagchi noted that India had repeatedly requested Australian authorities to locate and repatriate Sherghill, who acquired Australian citizenship in 2021. Bagchi emphasized that India views the court's ex-parte judgment with concern and rejects the Australian authorities' standing to adjudicate matters related to India-based service staff. He reiterated that Sherghill's grievance should be addressed within the jurisdiction of India, and India is now engaging with Australian authorities, invoking the Vienna Convention. India calls on Australia to honor its obligations concerning diplomatic immunities and privileges under the convention.
Navdeep Singh Suri has had a 36-year-long career in the Indian Foreign Service. He served in India’s diplomatic missions in Cairo, Damascus, Washington, Dar es Salaam and London. He was India’s Consul General in Johannesburg, High Commissioner to Australia, and Ambassador to Egypt and the UAE. He also headed West Africa and Public Diplomacy departments in India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
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