Three Israeli diplomats allegedly assaulted an Indian immigration officer in New Delhi airport after a dispute over customs delays ahead of a flight to Kathmandu.

According to the Times of India, the Israeli Foreign Ministry employees held diplomatic passports, which grant them immunity from prosecution.

One diplomat allegedly slapped the immigration officer while the other two proceeded to beat him up.

Indian police have said that they will investigate the incident using the airport’s CCTV footage.

Deputy Indian police commissioner MI Haider told AFP that the attack followed a heated exchange with the immigration official.

“Once their papers were cleared, they verbally abused the official and when he objected, they pounced on him,” said Mr Haider.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yigal Palmor said: “After several hours of investigations, all the detainees were released without charges filed against them.”

An unnamed Israeli official told Haaretz that both sides were claiming that the other had started the “brawl”.

Israel and India enjoy strong trade and economic relations. It is thought that both countries are keen to move on and forget the incident.