(a) whether commercial activities like gym, restaurant, etc. are allegedly being
run in the American Embassy in New Delhi;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Embassy has been asked to stop commercial activities within its premises;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the response of the American Embassy in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) & (b) The Government has seen reports regarding commercial activities allegedly being
run inside the premises of U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, including some restaurants/bars, a video club, a beauty parlour, a coffee shop and sports facilities.
(c) On 6 January 2014, Ministry of External Affairs requested the U.S. Embassy to stop all
commercial activities are in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
(d) & (e) The U.S. Embassy has conveyed that the American Community Support Association, a
not-for-profit employee association, operates recreational facilities within the Embassy
premises. The American Community Support Association also facilitates small number of
Indian firms providing services within the mission premises for the convenience of the
Embassy employees and these firms are required to comply with Indian law.