India has written a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon informing him of senior diplomat Devyani Khobragade's transfer as Counsellor to the Indian mission in the UN and requested that she be accorded the same privileges and immunities as a UN diplomatic officer.

The letter was sent by India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji to Ban Ki-moon along with other documents including information about Khobragade's passport details.

Meanwhile, the UN has confirmed that it has received official notification from India to accredit Khobragade and said the request will be processed according to standard procedures.

Khobragade was arrested in New York on December 12 by the US and released on 2 Lakh 50 thousand dollar bond after being charged with alleged visa fraud and for submitting false documents to obtain a visa for her domestic help.