India, Italy diplomatic row deepens, apex court restrains envoy Mancini

The diplomatic row between India and Italy deepened Thursday with the Supreme Court restraining Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving India.India’s apex Court also issued notice to the Italian ambassador for breach of undertaking by failing to bring back the two Italian marines who are facing trial in India for killing two fishermen near the coast of Kerala, the Times of India reported today.A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir also issued notices to the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, who were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their votes in the elections there after Ambassador Mancini had given an assurance to send them back.The court has asked the Italian ambassador to reply to the court by March 18.Attorney General (AG) G E Vahanvati brought the issue before the bench, saying that “its a breach of undertaking given to the highest court of the land and the government is extremely concerned about it”.The AG said government has rejected the March 11 note verbale from Italy conveying its decision not to return the marines to India.Earlier, Ambassador 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. “I will not leave this country till a competent authority makes me persona non grata.. I am more than glad to live in this country for years to come,” he had said.