UN asks India, Italy to resolve marines issue

When asked if the UN Chief has contacted or plans to speak with any representative of the Indian government over the issue, Nesirky refused to comment.

Earlier this week, Nesirky had said the UN or Ban had no comments to offer on the Italian Foreign Minister approaching the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the marines issue, saying it is a "bilateral matter".

Italy has petitioned the UN over the trial of its marines in India, saying it would exercise "all options".

Italy has "initiated contact" with the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights over "the lack of charges" and the "restriction of freedom" placed on the marines since 2012, Bonino said.

Bonino stressed that the two marines are not terrorists or pirates and carried out a role in the name of the Italian government.

"All options are open, from politics and diplomacy to legal channels. The goal is the dignified return of our marines," he said.

Ashton on Tuesday had said the grouping needs to send a "strong message" to India as the trial of the marines has "huge implications" for Europe's fight against piracy.

The marines, deployed on the Italian-flagged oil tanker MT Enrica Lexie, said they mistook the fishermen for pirates.

Rome wants the marines to be tried in Italy, claiming the incident took place in international waters. However, New Delhi says it has the right to try the Italians as the victims were Indians on board an Indian fishing boat.