Accusing India of behaving in an ambiguous and unreliable manner on the issue of its two marines charged with murdering a couple of fishermen off Kerala, Italy has called its ambassador Daniele Mancini to Rome “for consultations’’.
It also summoned Indian ambassador to Italy Basant Gupta to register a strong protest against the manner in which the trial in the Supreme Court has been delayed. After the court postponed the case for hearing on February 24, the Italian foreign ministry said it was “yet another unacceptable, deliberate delay” and recalled Mancini.
Foreign ministry secretary general Michele Valensise conveyed to Gupta that the case showed “an Indian desire to draw out the affair beyond all limits”. “The Indian judicial authorities’ delaying tactics — two years on from the incident — are unacceptable and indicate an Indian desire to procrastinate beyond all limits,” said the Italian official in a statement, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Foreign minister Emma Bonino said Italy “will continue and intensify action to defend its sovereign rights in line with international law”. This is the second time Italy is recalling its ambassador in connection with the case.
A decision on whether the two Italian marines should be charged under anti-piracy laws — mandating death penalty — will be taken by law minister Kapil Sibal in two to three days, the Supreme Court was told on Tuesday. The Centre is to file an affidavit by Friday.
Italy said the decision to recall the ambassador reflected the feelings of the Italian people. In New Delhi, official sources said the ministry of external affairs has not been informed by Italy about the move. “There is no need for the Italian government to inform MEA if they are calling their ambassador for consultations,” an official said.
Italy has registered strong protest against India for slapping the provisions of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf (SUA) Act against the marines, asserting that these provisions are slapped against pirates and its marines are not pirates.
Italy has also lobbied with the European Union and the United Nations in this regard.
It also summoned Indian ambassador to Italy Basant Gupta to register a strong protest against the manner in which the trial in the Supreme Court has been delayed. After the court postponed the case for hearing on February 24, the Italian foreign ministry said it was “yet another unacceptable, deliberate delay” and recalled Mancini.
Foreign ministry secretary general Michele Valensise conveyed to Gupta that the case showed “an Indian desire to draw out the affair beyond all limits”. “The Indian judicial authorities’ delaying tactics — two years on from the incident — are unacceptable and indicate an Indian desire to procrastinate beyond all limits,” said the Italian official in a statement, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Foreign minister Emma Bonino said Italy “will continue and intensify action to defend its sovereign rights in line with international law”. This is the second time Italy is recalling its ambassador in connection with the case.
A decision on whether the two Italian marines should be charged under anti-piracy laws — mandating death penalty — will be taken by law minister Kapil Sibal in two to three days, the Supreme Court was told on Tuesday. The Centre is to file an affidavit by Friday.
Italy said the decision to recall the ambassador reflected the feelings of the Italian people. In New Delhi, official sources said the ministry of external affairs has not been informed by Italy about the move. “There is no need for the Italian government to inform MEA if they are calling their ambassador for consultations,” an official said.
Italy has registered strong protest against India for slapping the provisions of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf (SUA) Act against the marines, asserting that these provisions are slapped against pirates and its marines are not pirates.
Italy has also lobbied with the European Union and the United Nations in this regard.
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