Italian marine case: India to abide by result of arbitration process, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that India would abide by the result of the arbitration process in the repatriation of an Italian marine who was detained in New Delhi in connection with shooting of two fishermen.

Responding to a question that Italian marine case would likely be raised in the India-European Union Summit, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said it is no longer a bilateral matter between India and Italy, as the Italians have appealed to the UN tribunal and matter is now with them.

"From technical point of view it is no longer a bilateral issue and there is an arbitration process going on now and whatever is the arbitration process both Indian and Italy have agreed to abide by, so let us await the result of the arbitration process, whatever will be the decision would be accepted by both countries," Swarup said.

Meanwhile, Italy's representative told an arbitration tribunal in The Hague that marine Salvatore Girone must be allowed to return to his homeland otherwise he risks four more years in India.

Girone is one of two Italian marines accused by India of killing two Indian fishermen during an anti-piracy mission in 2012.

He has been not been able to leave India, aside from a few brief permits, since the incident.

The other marine, Massimiliano Latorre, is back in Italy after having a stroke in 2014.

The Italian government has taken the marines case to international arbitration after repeated delays in its handling by India.

Ambassador Francesco Azzarello, Italy's representative to the tribunal said that the arbitration could last at least three or four years which means that Girone risks being held in New Delhi, without any charges being made, for a total of seven-eight year.

Azzarello added that this would amount to a grave violation of his human rights.