Following up on a telephone call from Foreign Minister Terzi to his Indian colleague Krishna, a delegation of representatives from three Italian ministries arrived in New Delhi this morning. The delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador of Italy, has already met with Indian officials to discuss all the aspects of the case, which the Italian government considers as within its jurisdiction since the incident took place in international waters on a ship waving the Italian flag. Italy has also underscored that the military presence aboard Italian mercantile ships is regulated by a specific Italian law that also corresponds with the needs of UN counter-piracy resolutions. It was pointed out in this context that the military is an organ of the Italian Republic and therefore enjoys immunity from prosecution by foreign governments.
The meeting did not lead to consensus. Contacts and collaboration between the two governments are considered essential to ascertaining the actual facts, in order to counter any unilateral actions undertaken by the police.
The Consul General of Italy in Mumbai is ensuring assistance and protection to the Italian nationals involved, and is in constant contact with the foreign ministry’s Crisis Unit and the experts of the three ministries, and is monitoring all the actions undertaken by the local authorities.
