The Indian government has objected to the Ferrari F1 team's plan to display the Italian naval flag and military symbols on their cars during practice races at the Indian Grand Prix this weekend. Indian fishermen have also taken umbrage at the Italian team's decision, which it says will show solidarity with two marines who were arrested last year for allegedly shooting dead two Indian fishermen.
Here are the latest developments:
Official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Syed Akbaruddin conveyed India's unhappiness on Friday, saying, "Using sporting events to promote causes not of a sporting nature, not in keeping with spirit of sports."
The National Fishermen's Forum (NFF) has also angrily condemned the move. NFF Secretary T Peter said in Thiruvananthapuram that Ferrari's decision amounted to "a shame on the nation" and a challenge to the fishing community. "Allowing the Italian company to openly express support and solidarity to the under trials is a serious lapse on the part of the government and sports authorities of the country. We strongly demand that the company be asked to reconsider this," Mr Peter said.
In Italy, Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has appreciated Ferrari's gesture. He tweeted, "Congratulations to Ferrari for displaying the Navy's symbol at the India GP. It will show the sailors the whole country is behind them," AFP reported.
Ferrari announced on its website yesterday that it would be paying tribute to the navy as "one of the outstanding entities of our country", by racing in the qualifying rounds with military symbols and the naval flag at the Indian GP being held in Greater Noida from today.
Ferrari said in its statement that its gesture is "also in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution to the situation currently involving two sailors from the Italian Navy".
The two Italian marines, who are facing trial in Kerala, allegedly killed the Indian fishermen along the Kerala coastline while escorting a cargo vessel Enrica Lexie. They said they mistook the fishermen for pirates, who are normally found off the north African and Arab peninsular coast in the Gulf of Aden.
They were arrested on February 19 this year and were sent to a Thiruvananthapuram prison.
The marines were granted bail by a Kerala court in June this year but have been asked not to leave India.
Italy wants its marines to be tried at home and claims that the shooting happened in international waters. India has said that it was within its own waters. Days of diplomatic tension followed the incident.
Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has distanced himself from the controversy saying the sport has nothing to do with any "political" issue." He said, "What we'd do, we'd look at the national sporting authority (FMSCI) here to have a look at that...we are not political."
