India-EU summit fails to defuse row over Italian marines

BRUSSELS: India and the European Union (EU) failed to make any breakthrough in the long-running row issue of Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that India would abide by the result of the arbitration process in Italian marines case. The case had been moved to an international tribunal after as no significant progress made on the issue.

India stressed the need for rendering due justice for the families of the Indian fishermen who were killed. On the other hand, the EU shares Italy’s concerns to find an expeditious solution for the prolonged restriction of liberty of the two Marines. India stressed the need for rendering due justice for the families of the Indian fishermen who were killed.

At a joint summit in Brussels on March 30, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders maintained their respective positions over the case. A joint statement by India and EU said: The EU shares Italys concerns to find an expeditious solution for the prolonged restriction of liberty of the two Marines. India stressed the need for rendering due justice for the families of the Indian fishermen who were killed, the statement added. India had arrested two Italian marines in 2012 who were escorting an oil tanker on suspicion of shooting dead two fishermen they mistook for pirates.

One of the marines Massimiliano Latorre was allowed to return home last year for medical treatment but the second marine Salvatore Girone has been confined to New Delhi. Mr Girone lives at the Italian ambassadors residence and reports regularly to police.

Italy alleged that Mr Girones human rights are being violated and has requested the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to order India to send him home.

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