NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday demanded Italy to send back two marines charged with the murder of two fishermen in Kerala last year or “there will be consequences.”
Indian government allowed the marines to return home in February to vote in national elections and to celebrate Easter. However, on Monday Italy informed India that the marines would not be coming back to face trial as promised, leading to a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Italy’s refusal to send back the marines was “unacceptable” and it threatened to damage relations between the two nations, Singh told Parliament on Wednesday.
Singh said India would take action if Italy did not change its position and send the marines back.
The marines were part of a military security team aboard a cargo ship when they opened fire on a fishing boat in February 2012, they said they mistook them for pirates.
Italy’s decision has come as a huge embarrassment for the Indian government and opposition parties have been demanding their immediate return.
On Tuesday, India summoned the Italian ambassador in Delhi to lodge a protest. Italy for its part has asked India to set up a meeting of diplomats in order to reach “an amicable solution”.
DND
