Won't leave India until asked to: Italian envoy - IBNLive

New Delhi: The Italian ambassador to India, Daniele Mancini, has said that he will not leave India until he is made persona non grata, meaning an unwelcome person, over the Italian marines row. His statement came amidst reports that India was looking to expel the envoy from the country. On Wednesday, senior counsel Harish Salve, who was representing the marines in the fishermen killings case, quit, saying that it would no longer be possible "for me to appear or be associated with this case". He also said that Mancini will now be made to appear before the Supreme Court if the two accused in the case did not return. "I consider this action of the Republic of Italy as a breach of faith. It is my perception that the Italian Government should have, in the least, forewarned its Indian lawyers of the change of its position before communicating it to the Government of India," Salve added. Video Photo Gallery The envoy's statement came amidst reports that India was looking to expel him after Italy's refusal to send the two marines back. The two marines had been allowed to visit their country to participate in the elections there on an undertaking from the envoy. However, On Monday evening, the Italian government made it clear that it didn't intend to send back the two marines. The SC's sanctioned leave period ends on March 22 and the government is hoping to reconcile differences with the country over the matter. However, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did speak tough, warning Italy of grave consequences if the duo was not sent back for trial. "They have violated every rule of diplomatic discourse and call into question solemn commitments given by an accredited representative of a government," Singh said in the Lok Sabha which witnessed uproar during Question Hour as well as Zero Hour over the issue. The opposition has been targeting the government over the matter, alleging collusion between New Delhi and Rome to protect the marines. Senior lawyer Salve, however, refuted those claims saying that there was no deal between India and Italy. "Both the Centre and the Supreme Court have been taken for a ride. The Centre and the SC acted with grace (in allowing the marines to visit their country for elections) after taking an undertaking from the Italian envoy," he said. via Top Stories - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFfQzc8BgDs5Bg64WF9EBXmHhbUZA&url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/marines-issue-italian-envoy-says-wont-leave-india-until-asked-to/378607-3.html

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