The Italian Marines have been accused of shooting two fishermen from Kerala in 2012. (Reuters Photo)
Amid continued stand-off between India and Italy over the issue of two Italian marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini today left for home reportedly for "consultations."
The departure came three days after Italy said it could recall its top envoy for "urgent consultations" in wake of the Supreme Court refusing the pleas of the marines to spend Christmas back home.
A day after the order by the apex court, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA having told Parliamentarians in Rome that the ministry could recall Mancini but added that this did not mean Italy wish to cut diplomatic relations with New Delhi.
The court had rejected pleas of Massimiliano Latorre, who is currently in Italy after he suffered a condition similar to stroke in September here, seeking extension of his stay in Italy on health grounds. It also rejected the request of Marine Salvatore Girone to travel there for Christmas, saying they cannot get such a "leeway".
Meanwhile, Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti had said in Rome that the full physical recovery of marine Latorre was "a priority for the government and nothing will be done to jeopardize his condition".
Pinotti added that Latorre, who was allowed to leave India in September for four months of medical treatment at home, is in no condition to travel.
She added that Italy was not defying India, but the recognition of Latorre's health problems was simply "a calm and firm acknowledgment of the situation".
His leave was granted by the Indian government after he suffered a form of heart attack.
The two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen in Kerala in 2012, maintain that they fired on the two fishermen after mistaking them for pirates while guarding an Italian oil tanker.
The situation has led to tense relations between India and Italy, which says that India has no jurisdiction in the case.