Killing of Indian fisherman unfortunate: Vayalar Ravi

KOCHI: The killing of an India fisherman in firing from a US Navy ship off Dubai coast was an act of "arrogance", Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said.

Asked if India was contemplating any action similar to that taken against two marines of Italian vessel Enrica Lexie from which shots had been fired killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast on February 15, Ravi told reporters the present incident took place in the UAE.

As per international law, UAE should take action, he said.

The killing of the Indian fisherman by the US Naval vessel was an act of "arrogance", he said.

The incident was "serious", he said, adding, all efforts would be made to bring the body as early as possible.

The External Affairs Ministry has been asked to provide assistance to the family of the deceased fisherman, he said.

An Indian fisherman was killed and three were wounded on Monday when a security team onboard a US Navy ship fired at their small boat off Dubai. The fishing boat had four Indians and two Emirate nationals on board when the incident took place in Jabel Ali, a frequent docking point for American naval vessels about 30 miles southwest of Dubai.

On NCP-Congress stand-off, Ravi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, was a "most valuable" leader.

"Pawar is a seasoned politician and he will reconsider his decision and UPA will discuss and solve the problem," he said.

NCP, a stable ally of Congress for the last eight years, created a crisis of sorts for the government when Pawar, sent a communication to the Prime Minister expressing his decision to quit along with Praful Patel, Minister for Heavy Industry.

Today it said it will remain part of the ruling coalition and continue to support the government.