JOIN USItaly has done well to rethink its earlier, ill-advised move to not return its marines to India for trial.
Diplomatic and political tensions that had intensified in recent weeks can now be expected to subside somewhat. Indian public sentiment was understandably outraged by the Italian government’s brazen defiance of India’s judiciary.
India’s Supreme Court acted in good faith by allowing the marines to go home to vote on the understanding that they would return to India to face trial for the killing of two fishermen off Kerala’s coast. But in violation of an affidavit signed by the Italian ambassador to India, the marines did not return. This was not just a breach of promise on the part of Italy but also, it was perceived in India as an act of arrogance, rooted in Italy’s disdain for India’s judicial processes and governance systems. Clearly Rome underestimated India’s response to its decision to encourage the marines to become fugitives of Indian law. The firm and correct handling of the crisis by India’s apex court sent out a strong message to the Italians that Delhi would not sit by quietly if it chose to defy India’s laws. Italy appears to have realised belatedly that it would have to pay a heavy price, perhaps see lucrative defence deals cancelled, if it did not reverse its decision.
Indian diplomacy too played a role in Italy’s course correction. Assurances made by Delhi that the marines would not face the death sentence seem to have facilitated Rome’s rethink. Those in India who are uncomfortable with this ‘deal’ should understand that diplomacy is often about compromises. Moreover, it is unlikely that the marines would have got the death sentence anyway. Still, the Indian and Italian governments must allow the judicial process to take its course now without their meddling.
The UPA government has attributed the return of the marines to its deft diplomacy. However, its handling of the issue from the start suggests that it does not deserve the self- congratulations. It dragged its feet in setting up a special court as directed by the SC. Its handling of the issue was determined more by its electoral considerations in Kerala. This approach must change. It is through a fair and expeditious trial of the marines that India will score the real victory in this bilateral face-off.