Full text: US statement on Kerry-Menon conversation on Devyani arrest

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called India's National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and expressed his regret over the arrest and strip search of Indian Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade in New York City.

Here is the full text Secretary Kerry call to Indian Security Advisor Menon:

Today Secretary Kerry called Indian Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon to discuss the December 12th arrest of Deputy Consul General Khobragade.

The Secretary understands very deeply the importance of enforcing our laws and protecting victims, and, like all officials in positions of responsibility inside the US government, expects that laws will be followed by everyone here in our country. It is also particularly important to Secretary Kerry that foreign diplomats serving in the United States are accorded respect and dignity just as we expect our own diplomats should receive overseas.

As a father of two daughters about the same age as Devyani Khobragade, the Secretary empathizes with the sensitivities we are hearing from India about the events that unfolded after Ms. Khobragade's arrest, and in his conversation with National Security Advisor Menon he expressed his regret, as well as his concern that we not allow this unfortunate public issue to hurt our close and vital relationship with India.