Chanakya, the best friend?

Giving a speech at the same event, US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, made a reference to Chanakyapuri, where the US consulate in Delhi is located. He said it was named after the ancient Indian scholar Chanakya, and went on to remind the audience what Chanakya had said about a "true friend" - that he was one who did not forsake us in our time of need, misfortune, famine, war, in a king's court, or at the crematorium (samsana). Ironically, the US consulate at Chanakyapuri had become one of the focal points of controversy when the India-US row over the arrest of diplomat Devyani Khobragade reached its peak in December 2013.