The Two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala Coast last year, have returned to India after New Delhi insisted on it.

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone arrived in New Delhi last evening on the last day of the deadline set for their return by the Supreme Court. The two marines had gone home last month to cast their votes but did not return as their country refused to send them back.

This led to a diplomatic standoff between the two countries with New Delhi insisting on their return as they had given an undertaking to the Supreme Court. A sudden volte face by Italy prompted the Supreme Court to restrain the Italian Ambassador in New Delhi from leaveing the country till further orders.

With Italy reversing its decision of not sending back two marines, the government has said it had assured that country that the accused in the fishermen killing case, will not face the death penalty and will not be arrested if they returned by the deadline of yesterday set by the Supreme Court.

The External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said that there was no deal with Italy on the marines issue. Briefing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Mr. Khurshid said that the return of the marines is a positive development and New Delhi had kept all channels of communication open.