US apologises to Praful Patel for detaining him at Chicago airport

New Delhi, Sep 29 (ANI): The United States has apologised to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel for detaining and grilling him at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago airport.

US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, said the US will do whatever was required to make necessary amends to prevent any such incidents in future.

Praful Patel, who was on an official trip to attend the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting at Montreal in Canada, was quizzed after some confusion over his identity.

He was travelling on a regular passport instead of the diplomatic one used by ministers.

The matter was later resolved after the Indian Embassy officials intervened, sources said.

Reacting to the incident, Praful Patel tried to downplay the embarrassment caused to him at the Chicago airport.

"Nothing serious has happened. There is a person with similar name and birth date. That is why they just double checked," he said

This is not the first such situation for the Minister - he landed in a similar situation earlier in New York. (ANI)