Indian law will apply: India to Italy on fi shermen case

NEW DELHI: Amid increased diplomatic pressure from Italy, India stood its ground today and reiterated that its law would hold precedence in the case of killing of two Indian fi shermen allegedly by Italian naval guards off the Kerala coast last week. Speaking to reporters here after meeting visiting Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Staffan De Mistura, who rushed to the national capital this morning, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur accepted the difference of opinion between the two sides but, importantly, denied any agreement between India and Italy on the matter. “Our law will take its own course in the matter,” the MoS said. Kaur said she assured Mistura that the Indian judiciary is very fair and free and would take the right decision on the incident. According to the MoS, the Italian minister expressed regret over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the two fi shermen. Mistura is likely to visit Kerala today to meet authorities there. He is also likely to call on External Affairs Minister SM Krishna later in the day. Italy rushed its deputy foreign minister for talks, to be followed by the visit of Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi on February 28, after New Delhi made it clear that it will go by its legal process. Italy has demanded that the two Marines, currently in Kerala police’s custody, be tried by an international court. Mistura will “continue on a political level the action so far carried out by a delegation of experts from the Italian Foreign, Defence and Justice Ministries”, the Foreign Ministry in Rome said. “Minister Terzi will visit personally next Tuesday,” it added. Ajesh Binki, 25, and Gelastine, 45, were mistaken for pirates and shot dead by the Marines from the Italian cargo vessel on February 15, off Alappuzha in Kerala.