The Indian Ambassador to Italy was called to the Italian Foreign Ministry on Saturday, in a continuing expression of Rome's annoyance with the charge-sheeting of two of its marines by the Kerala Police a day earlier.
Hours after the Kerala Police had filed the charge sheet in a Kollam court on Friday, Italy had recalled its envoy in Delhi, Giacomo Sanfelice, for “consultations”, a time-honoured diplomatic gesture of displeasure.
The Indian envoy met the Italian Foreign Ministry's Director General, who conveyed his government's concern regarding the charges filed against the marines in custody. He assured Italy that he would communicate these concerns to the appropriate authorities.
The last time the Indian envoy was summoned on the issue of two marines killing two Indian unarmed fishermen off the coast of Kerala, it was to meet Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi.
On both occasions, Italy has maintained that India had no jurisdiction on the marines, because they were on an Italian ship by an Act of [Italian] Parliament, providing for vessel protection detachments (VPDs).
But India says VPDs don't have global sanctity in terms of international laws, and insists on the applicability of Indian laws.
What? They murdered, however they slice it, two unarmed Indian
fishermen. And they have to pay the price for such the crime.
Italian Govt. flexing its muscle should be discarded. Indian
should dare them to push this into a diplomatic, trade stare-down.
Italy is the one which needs Indian markets more than India.
One hopes the Indian politicians do not go 'noble' with
incentives. Our Govt. is known for being meek to Europeans but
luckily these are residents of Kerala. THey normally stand-up and
fight.
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