The arrest of two Italian marines for allegedly shooting dead two Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala appeared to be escalating into a diplomatic row between India and Italy on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh received a call from his Italian counterpart Mario Monti on Wednesday with the latter reportedly telling him that India’s stance was setting a “dangerous precedent”.
The Italian PM is said to have told Dr Singh that if India did not follow what is in tune with international law, it would also jeopardise international peace-keeping and anti-piracy missions. Dr Singh in turn is said to have told the Italian PM that he wanted to avoid tensions between the two countries.
A statement issued late Wednesday night by the Prime Minister’s office (PMO), however, maintained that the two leaders “reaffirmed the importance of deepening relations between India and Italy and agreed that the issues that had arisen following the incident, should be resolved amicably in accordance with law and in the spirit of friendship that characterises relations between the two countries.” Italy has also taken the plea that India’s handling of the case could set a “dangerous precedent in combating piracy”.