The diplomatic standoff between Italy and India over the issue of two Italian marines accused of killing Kerala fishermen last year aggravated on Tuesday. A furious Italy on Tuesday upped the ante by recalling its Ambassador to India for consultation and accused the Indian authorities of “unreliable”
behaviour. Announcing Italy’s decision to recall the Ambassador, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said, “The Italian Government has ordered the immediate recall of its Ambassador in India, Daniele Mancini, for consultations.”
In a related development, Italy summoned Indian Ambassador to Italy Basant Kumar Gupta to the Foreign Ministry and told him that India was appearing to be drawing out the “affair” of the marines facing trial for allegedly killing two fishermen off Kerala coast two years ago. Italy’s “dismay” over the prolongation of the trial was conveyed to him, Italian news agency ANSA reported. What appeared to have angered Italy was the postponement of the Supreme Court hearing to February 24 in the case involving marines Massimiliano latorre and Salvatore Girone.
leading the charge against India was Bonino, who said after the court had delayed the case for “umpteenth time” that “we cannot go and get them (marines) by military force” but “several initiatives” were open to the new Italian Government to be sworn-in by the weekend. Media reports in Rome said that the “initiatives” may include freezing bilateral accords and pulling soldiers from anti-piracy missions being undertaken by the Italian Navy.
In New Delhi, official sources said Ministry of External Affairs has not been informed by Italy about the move. There is no need for the Italian Government to inform the MEA if they are calling their Ambassador for consultations, they said.
“The main objective of Italy is to get the return of the two Riflemen...,” Banino said, adding given “inability of India to manage the affair, Italy will continue and intensify its commitment to the recognition of their rights as a sovereign State in accordance with international law.” Justifying Ambassador’s “recall”, Italian Defence Minister Mario Mauro said, “The decision of the Italian government to recall the Ambassador to Italy is not only justified but unavoidable and reflects the sentiment of our people.”
“The measure is full and even greater is the outrage across the nation. Upon this case there is no justice, we are faced with a behaviour ambiguous and unreliable by the Indian authorities,” Mauro was quoted as saying by ANSA. Meanwhile, after withdrawing the death penalty charge against the two Italian marines, the Centre may decide to altogether drop prosecution under the anti-piracy law. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken by Friday even as the Supreme Court hearing a petition by the marines has posted the case for hearing on Monday.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati appeared before a Bench of Justices BS Chuahan and MY Eqbal to inform that the decision was in the final stage. A meeting held last Thursday between the heads of three Ministries ---Home, External Affairs and law --- decided to refer to the Union law Ministry on the possibility of removing the SUA from the chargesheet. Although sanction under the SUA was earlier granted to the NIA, the Government did a review in view of the diplomatic row with Italy.
The Bench told Vahanvati, “We want something in writing so that we can understand what the opinion of the law Ministry is.” He agreed to file an affidavit by Friday. But the Italian Government’s senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi grew impatient and snubbed the Centre for the delay. “They have changed their stand six times. You have three Ministers who cannot read an Act,” he said. When the AG objected, the Bench intervened and asked Rohatgi to wait till Monday, the next date of hearing.