Devyani Khobragade BARRED from entering United States

Expelled Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, in effect, has been barred entry into the United States.

The State Department has said that her name would be placed in visa and immigration lookout systems to prevent the routine issuance of visa.

Khobragade's departure from the US, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said, does not alter the charges against the 39-year-old diplomat.

"Her name would be placed in visa and immigration lookout systems to prevent the routine issuance of any future visa and upon her departure a warrant may be issued for her arrest," she said.

From the comments made by the State Department spokesperson, it is clear that Khobragade is being virtually treated as a 'persona non grata' and she may be permitted to visit the US only to subject herself to the jurisdiction of an American court.

Khobragade, married to an Indian-origin American national, has two daughters, aged 6 and 3, who are now likely to shift to India.

The US has said that Khobragade, who has returned to New Delhi, no longer enjoys immunity and an arrest warrant might be issued against her.

"Prior to her departure, it was conveyed to her and to the government of India that she is not permitted to return to the United States except to submit to the jurisdiction of the court," said Psaki.

On Thursday, Khobragade was indicted in a New York court on two counts of visa fraud and misrepresentation of facts.

"The charges remain in place. There are processes that are standard processes in each of these cases, which we were abiding by throughout this process," the State Department spokesperson insisted.

Arrested on December 12, Khobragade was strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two sides.

India had retaliated by downgrading privileges of a certain category of US diplomats, among other steps.