Italy, India at odds over fishermen shootings

Rome, Feb 20: Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi today warned of "considerable differences" with India over the alleged killing of two Indian fishermen mistaken for pirates by Italian soldiers on an oil tanker.

"There are currently considerable differences of a legal character. Up to now I have not seen the co-operation between India and Italy that would be desirable and would allow a quick resolution," Terzi said.

Italy says the men have immunity from Indian law as the tanker, the Enrica Lexie, was flying with an Italian flag in international waters as it sailed from Singapore to Egypt when the shooting occurred on Wednesday.

The two soldiers, who were deployed on the ship under a new law passed in Italy last year to protect against the growing threat from pirates in the Indian Ocean, were due before an Indian magistrate today. They were escorted off the vessel and arrested yesterday.

AFP