Kolkata, Apr 9 (IANS): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday described India's diplomatic row with Italy over the two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen as an insult to the country.
"We let two under-trial Italians go to their country to vote. Here, under-trial citizens are not even allowed to attend their mother's funeral. The way things were handled, it was an insult to the country," Modi said here.
Marines Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone on board the Italian cargo vessel Enrica Lexie have been charged with shooting dead two Indian fishermen Feb 15 last year, suspecting them to be pirates.
The Supreme Court first allowed the marines to return to Italy to celebrate Christmas. They flew back to India. But when they went back a second time to vote in elections, Italy said they won't return.
The marines, however, flew back to India March 22, resolving a diplomatic crisis.