Italian ambassador stays defiant

Italy on Wednesday stuck to its position of having differences over the issue of jurisdiction in the marine case and said they wish to solve the issue by reaching a consensus.

Italy on Wednesday stuck to its position of having differences over the issue of jurisdiction in the marine case and said they wish to solve the issue by reaching a consensus.

"The Supreme Court judgment on Jan 18 has denied Italian jurisdiction on the case and invited both countries to engage in a common effort based upon Article 100 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," a statement from Italian embassy said.

The statement was in reaction to PM Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament that Italy would have to face "consequences" for refusing to send back the marines to face trial.

The Italian statement also said Rome had done "everything we could to find an acceptable solution to such case, within the framework of our strong and friendly relations with India, and Italy will continue to do so.

"Italy has conveyed its readiness to start negotiations on such basis. Since there has been no reaction from India in this regard we have come to the conclusion that it is appropriate to solve the legal dispute according to the international law.

"We are a friendly government to Indian government. We want to work it in all possible manners. We've been consistent since day one," Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini said.