India fourth biggest embassy debtor on London congestion charges

London has a special fee for cars that drive in the busy city center, called the Congestion Charge.

Many countries have buildings called embassies in London where their diplomats work.

Some countries, including India, the United States, and Japan, have not been paying this fee for more than twenty years.

India owes the most money out of the South Asian countries — about 10.79 million pounds.

London officials say the fee is for a service, like paying for a bus ticket, so everyone must pay it.

But the embassies say it is a tax, and a special rule called the Vienna Convention protects diplomats from paying taxes.

The two sides cannot agree on what the fee really is.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh also owe money, but much less than India.

London officials say they will keep asking for the full amount through official channels and will not forgive the debt.