India-Italy row deepens

Italy has expressed strong displeasure with the Indian government and has recalled its ambassador from New Delhi over India’s decision to arrest two Italian sailors on murder charges. On Friday, Indian authorities announced Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone had been charged with the murder of two fishermen who they shot dead on February 15. The marines, members of a military security team who were guarding an Italian oil tanker when the incident occurred, said they fired warning shots at the fishermen’s boat after mistaking them for pirates. The detention of the Italian sailors has sparked a diplomatic row between Italy and India, and Rome has recalled its ambassador from New Delhi. On Saturday, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Staffan de Mistura described the move as “a signal of profound displeasure” with the "absurd accusation of premeditated murder” against the Italian marines, Reuters reported. He said the decision to recall the Italian ambassador was made after a series of diplomatic efforts, with Rome trying to convince New Delhi to release the detainees into Italian custody. The move came after three telephone calls by Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, a visit by Italy's defense minister and his own missions to India, de Mistura explained. Italy claims jurisdiction over the marines, arguing that the incident occurred in international waters. But New Delhi maintains it is for the courts, not the government, to decide and that it does not have the authority to intervene. One of the murder charges is punishable with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, but another can be punished by death. However, executions must be approved by India’s central government.