Amid the lingering issue of its marines facing trial in the killing of two fishermen in India, Italy has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Staffan de Mistura as Special Envoy to work out a fair outcome of the case.
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who assumed office on April 28, appointed Mr. Mistura as his Special Envoy to handle the issue.
Mr. Mistura will work with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on the issue. India has already conveyed its intent to work out a balanced approach.
Mr. Mistura has been a frequent visitor to India ever since Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone were arrested in connection with the killing of two Indian fishermen in February last year off the Kerala coast. He arrived in New Delhi on February 19 last year within days of the arrest of the two marines, and has been a familiar face in the corridors of power in Kerala and New Delhi in his quest to get the issue resolved.
