U-turn in Rome

Italys dramatic turnaround on Thursday,reversing its earlier decision of not sending the two marines accused of killing two Indian fisherman off the Kerala coast in February 2012 back to India,is a welcome and important step towards resolving what was threatening to become an intractable diplomatic row. Of course,by refusing to return the marines despite the Italian ambassadors written affidavit to the Supreme Court,Italy had violated every rule of diplomatic discourse,as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said in Parliament. Its action had pointed to a disquieting disregard on Romes part for the judicial process in India. The return of the marines is,however,only the first in a series of steps that must be taken for Delhi and Rome to leave behind the episode that threatened to discolour bilateral ties.

The trial of the marines will now proceed as per the direction of the apex court and,given its graciousness in letting the marines go home to vote,it can be trusted to deal with the case wisely. But the Centre must also follow up on this moment of diplomatic success. For one,the special court that the Supreme Court had asked to be set up to try the marines,must be established. Second,a speedy investigation ought be carried out into an important point of dispute whether the Enrica Lexie shooting incident occurred in international or Indian territorial waters. While the Supreme Court has affirmed Indian jurisdiction in the case,it has also provided petitioners the opportunity to raise the question of jurisdiction by producing evidence before the special court.

Italys refusal to send the marines back had shrunk the diplomatic space for a resolution in the matter. India was left with no option but to be unequivocal and firm in demanding their return. Now that Italy has reconsidered its position and acknowledged its stakes in the relationship,both countries must make the diplomatic effort needed to prevent an impasse from recurring.