WASHINGTON: An Indian diplomat detained last month in the United States has waived her right to be indicted within 30 days of arrest, a newspaper said late on Monday.

The decision eases pressure in a dispute that has sent tensions between the two countries soaring, The Washington Post said.

India’s deputy consul general in New York, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested by US authorities on Dec 12 on suspicion of lying on a visa application for her maid and of underpaying her.

The Delhi government and many ordinary Indians were outraged by her treatment.

In a request to federal court in New York, the attorney for Khobragade, said she was waiving her right to be indicted within 30 days of arrest, or by January 13.

“Significant communications . . . between the prosecution and the defence and amongst other government officials” could be hindered if the indictment threshold is crossed, The Washington Post reported.

“It is our strong view that the pressure of the impending deadline is counterproductive to continued communications,” attorney Daniel N. Arshack said in requesting a 30-day extension.

In the US, only the defendant can waive the right to be indicted within 30 days of the arrest. Normally, prosecutors must either indict a defendant within that time, or drop the charges.

The Post said the decision could ease pressure on the State Department, which it said has clashed with federal prosecutors over the wisdom of the arrest and how it was conducted.—AFP