India today lodged a strong protest with the US for subjecting Ambassador Meera Shankar to 'pat-down' security check at an American airport. Deputy Chief of US Embassy was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge the protest. According PTI, Donald Lu was called in by Javed Ashra, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the MEA, to convey strong concern over screening of Shankar at the Mississippi Airport on December 4.The US official was told that the action was contrary to the normal diplomatic practice and inconsistent with the excellent relations that India and the US enjoy.Ashraf referred to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's assertion that such incidents are unacceptable and said the US State Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) should sensitise all their agents at all the airports to ensure proper privileges and courtesies are extended to Indian Ambassador and diplomats.