US Apologizes SRK Detention at NY Airport, India Upset

The US customs and border protection authorities have expressed "profound" apologies for detaining Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at a New York airport for over two hours on April 12, 2012.

Khan had been invited by the Yale University to deliver a lecture to students.

The Indian foreign ministry is also reported to be upset over the incident and will take it up with US authorities.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna also felt it has become a policy of 'detention and apology' for the US which ''cannot continue'.'

The Bollywood actor was detained at New York's White Plains airport for over two hours by immigration officials after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani.

While Nita and the rest of their group were cleared immediately, Khan was stopped and was given immigration clearance after two hours, sources said.

46-year-old Khan was to address a press conference at 2 pm and deliver a lecture at 4 pm at the Yale University.

However, he arrived for the press meet three hours behind schedule and his hour-long lecture started at about 6 pm.

Reacting strongly to the detention, India asserted that a "mechanical apology" from the US in such cases was not "adequate" and that it would take up the issue with the highest authorities in that country.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has asked Ambassador Nirupama Rao to take up the matter with the highest US authorities.