Fishermen killing: Italy summons Indian envoy

Refusing to subscribe to the consistent position of New Delhi, Italian foreign minister on Tuesday summoned Indian envoy to protest jailing of the two Italian marines suspected of shooting two fishermen mistaking them for pirates.

Sticking to its gun, India reiterated its position that the law of the land should take its course and no exception can be made for the marines.

Foreign minister Giulio Terzi said the sentencing of the men was "unacceptable". He has summoned Indian ambassador in Rome, Debabrata Saha in a move that will further see hardening of the stated positions. Both sides have been wresting with their legal positions to find a common ground on the issue.

The envoy was categorically told that the marines cannot be tried under Indian law as Italy has extra territorial jurisdiction over their nationals.

Besides citing the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Italy has yet again pointed out that the marines were guarding the vessel, which was mandated by a law of the Italian parliament. This law was passed last year, after many Italian ships came under pirate attack.

However, India is marinating that the law of the land should take its course and the investigations into the incident are still under way. It has said as the crime was committed on the Indian ship, killing the unarmed fishermen off Kerala coast, an area not infested by the pirates. India also maintains that the diplomatic or official immunity is state-specific and marines do not come under it.