India gets hate mails, seeks security for Rome mission

Protection of mission is the responsibility of the host country

India Friday said it has sensitised Italy about hate mails, including a bullet, received by its mission in Rome over a case concerning two marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen, and hoped necessary security measures would be taken.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said this in response to queries here that there have been differences between India and Italy on the jurisdiction of the case concerning the marines.

"While we have difference of opinion, we have explained our views to them," he said.

He declined to comment on questions related to trial of the two marines, saying the matter was subjudice.

Answering a query about hate mails, he said there had been such an instance and added the Indian mission received a bullet in a mail.

He said protection of mission was the responsibility of the host country.

"We hope necessary measures will be taken,"he said.

"We are in diplomatic communication, including at very senior level.This is an issue we take seriously," Akbaruddin added.

The Italian foreign ministry had earlier this week summoned Indian envoy Basant Kumar Gupta in Rome to voice its "dismay" over the "unacceptable delay" in the trial of the two Italian marines - Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone.

The two had allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen - Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki -- off the coast of the south Indian state of Kerala, mistaking them for pirates in February 2012.

The marines were serving as security personnel on an Italian oil tanker MT Enrica Lexie.

India claims jurisdiction in the case while Italy alleges the incident took place in international waters and the marines should be tried in their home country.

The Supreme Court has asked the government to spell out its stand about the law under which the marines are to be tried.