Centre will explore diplomatic and legal options: PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said Italy's stand on the return of two of its marines to India to face the trial for killing two Indian fishermen has violated all norms of diplomatic discourse.

In a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, he said he shared the sense of national outrage over Italy's communication that the marines will not return to India and said all diplomatic and legal options would be explored to bring the duo back to India to face the trial.

The Prime Minister also made it clear that the stand of Italy in this regard was not acceptable to India and added they have violated all rules of diplomatic discourse and has cast a shadow on the relationship between the two countries.

The Supreme Court had permitted the marines to leave India for four weeks on the basis of an undertaking given by the Italian Ambassador who assumed full responsibility for their return to India.

The marines of the Italian ship "Enrica Lexie" Massimilliano Latore and Salvatore Girn were permitted by the Supreme Court on February 22 to go to Italy for four weeks for voting in election but Italian government has informed India that they would not return.