Former Indian deputy consul general in New York, Devyani Khobragade (Photo: AP)

(VOVworld) - India asked the US on Friday to withdraw a diplomat from its embassy in New Delhi of similar rank of the former Indian deputy consul general, Devyani Khobragade. Khobragade, who was arrested last December for charges of lying in a visa application,  returned to India on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference following India’s decision, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed India's expulsion of a US senior diplomat  and expressed her regret when New Delhi considered the move necessary.

The expelled diplomat whose name hasn’t been revealed is expected to leave India within 48 hours under New Delhi’s requirement. Psaki said the US-Indian diplomatic ties is in a challenging period and the US administration will continue to look for measures to relieve the tension. She said she hopes India will work with the US to soon wrap up the case and improve their strategic relations.