The U.S. government has apologized to former Indian President Abdul Kalam for putting him through a security screening at an airport.

The incident occurred September 29 after Mr. Kalam boarded an Air India flight at John F. Kennedy airport in New York.

Reports say security personnel entered the aircraft after it boarded and frisked Mr. Kalam before taking his coat and shoes for additional screening.

A statement from the U.S. embassy in New Delhi says Washington extends its apology that appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries were not followed. It adds the United States is working to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A similar incident occurred in 2009 when Mr. Kalam was checked before boarding a Continental Airlines flight to the U.S.

The 80-year-old Mr. Kalam served as India's president from 2002 to 2007.