India feels cheated as Italy refuses to send back its marines accused of murder

13 March, 2013

India got a big surprise on diplomatic front when it came to know that Italian government has decided not to send back its two marines who are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast last year in February. India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has termed the Italian action as totally 'unacceptable'.

Italian foreign ministry while backing its decision claimed that India had not responded to its requests to seek a diplomatic solution to the case and there was now a formal dispute between the two countries over the terms of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

Poll

Should India have let the Italian marines go home?

Yes :

16.67 %

No :

75 %

Can't say :

8.33 %

Sponsored By :

Foreign minister Salman Khurshid said that he will read the letter sent by the Italian government and then decide the future course of action.

Not only the Indian Prime Minister but the political leaders from all the parties have expressed anger over the move by Italy. Cutting across the party lines, leaders have demanded firm action from the Indian side.

The main opposition party BJP said that it will raise the issue of the Italian marines in the Parliament while terming it a diplomatic failure of the government. CPI (M) and Congress MPs from Kerala also met the Prime Minister on this issue and demanded quick action to bring back the Italian marines. Congress MP PC Chacko said that he is shocked at betrayal of the Italian government.

The Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy said that Italy's decision is unacceptable and urged the Foreign Minister to escalate the issue. Chandy was also scheduled to come to Delhi Tuesday night to meet PM and the foreign minister on this issue.

The government of India has also summoned Italian envoy to lodge its protest against the betrayal shown by Rome.

The two Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone had gone back to their nation on the pretext of casting their votes in the Presidential elections after getting special permission by the Supreme Court. This is the second time they went to Italy, first being the Christmas time in December last year.

Indian foreign minister Khurshid also said that it was not only the Supreme Court's decision but a collective decision of the country to send back the two marines for the second time.