The shooting down of two Indian fishermen by the security guards of an Italian merchant vessel after they were mistaken for pirates by them has not only drawn the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but also prompted Italian foreign minister Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant’Agata to call up external affairs minister S.M. Krishna on Saturday night.
Mr Terzi spoke to Mr Krishna around 8 pm on Saturday regarding the incident involving security guards on board Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala. The Italian foreign minister conveyed his deep regret at the loss of the lives of the two fishermen said the external affairs ministry statement issued late on Saturday night. Mr Krishna told him that “the law should be allowed to take its course.”
Mr Krishna is also said to have emphasised to his Italian counterpart that the personnel on board Enrica Lexie, particularly its captain and the two security guards allegedly involved in the shooting should cooperate with Indian investigating authorities. He also hoped that the issue will be satisfactorily resolved.
It further said that the Italian foreign minister also expressed his desire that both countries should work together to find a mutually acceptable procedure to establish the facts beyond any doubt and determine responsibilities.
Mr Krishna on his part said that it was unfortunate that innocent lives had been lost which could have been avoided had the naval personnel on board Enrica Lexie been careful and exercised restraint.
He also told his Italian counterpart that India’s information clearly indicated that the Indian fishermen were not carrying any arms or ammunition on board their vessel. Indeed, the Italian foreign minister was told that Indian fishing vessels do not carry arms on board.