Wikileaks: Rao defends secrecy of ‘privileged communication’

NEW DELHI - Disapproving the leaks of diplomatic cables by online whistleblower Wikileaks, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Friday said “privileged communication” among diplomats should not be disclosed till such time they are archived and, after a lapse of time, made accessible to the public.

“All democracies operate on the basis of certain rules. There is privileged communication between diplomats and the headquarters at the foreign office. They should stay that way,” Rao told reporters here Friday.

Rao added that the diplomatic communication should be kept secret till “archives open up and become available to the people”.

A string of leaks by Wikileaks had some Indian diplomats airing their “candid opinions” about a particular country or event, embarrassing the government.