Italian Foreign Minister calls SM Krishna on fishermen killing issue

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi on Saturday called his Indian counterpart SM Krishna who told him that the captain the Italian oil tanker, whose guards killed two Indian fishermen off Kollam coast in Kerala, must cooperate with Indian law enforcers.

During the telephonic talk, Krishna told Terzi that the people onboard the ship 'Enrica Lexie', particularly the Captain of the ship and the two personnel involved in the shooting, should fully cooperate with Indian investigating authorities.

Krishna said the law should be allowed to take its course in connection with the incident.

His remarks came in the backdrop of reports that the Italian ship authorities refused to hand over the personnel involved in the shooting to Indian law enforcers.

Krishna, according to a statement by the External Affairs Ministry, said the loss of lives could have been avoided had the naval personnel on board 'Enrica Lexie' been careful and exercised restraint.

He told his Italian counterpart that "our information clearly indicated that the Indian fishermen were not carrying any arms or ammunition on board their vessel. Indian fishing vessels do not carry these on board but only fishing nets and the fish they catch."