The Patient Diplomacy That Seduced India

The decision handed down by the Supreme Court of Kerala was not taken for granted. The 15-day leave granted to the two Italian marines is the reversal of a series of firm decisions made by India throughout the incident. The decision is essentially the meeting of two aspects that are no longer parallel: patient diplomatic work and the calming of tensions in India. The passing of time, with the full respect of an Oriental tradition, has led to the good news. The negotiations with Indian authorities were difficult from the very beginning, with many parties confusing their emotions with reality and suggesting forceful action. The era of gunboat diplomacy is long gone, and the only weapons available to fight India’s stubbornness are international rights and negotiations. It is difficult to take the high road when the other side is holding two Italians in detention. There is also the matter of the incident putting some distance between itself and the themes of domestic elections. The elections in Kerala have already taken place, as have those in Gujarat. The nationalistic fervor has died down and so has the need to leverage propaganda. Christmas at home with family for the two marines is the happy conclusion of these two actions.