New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has warned Italy that "there will be consequences" if it does not return two marines accused of killing a pair of fishermen last year. He did not elaborate on what the consequences might be. (
Read PM's full statement)
But the Italian ambassador to India, Daniele Mancini, said that though the crisis appoints "difficult moments" between the two countries, he is confident that "two mature democracies such as these will overcome the difficulties."
India is considering expelling Mr Mancini, who promised the Supreme Court that if the marines were allowed to spend four weeks at home to vote in the national election and celebrate Easter, they would return to India by March 22.
On Monday, Italy announced it will not send them back to stand trial.
Sources in the Italian government told NDTV, "Italy did everything we could to find an acceptable solution to such case, within the framework of our strong and friendly relations with India, and we will continue to do so."
They pointed out that the navy officers - Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone - are also facing legal proceedings in a court in Rome for the shooting of two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February.
Italy says that its decision comes after a letter asking India to engage in diplomatic negotiations was ignored a week ago. It has also repeatedly said that India does not have jurisdiction over the case because the fishermen were shot in international waters, a contention India disagrees with.
The marines were guarding an Italian tanker off the Kochi coast in February last year; they say they mistook the fishermen for pirates and opened fire.