India’s supreme court is indefinitely extending the order preventing the Italian ambassador from leaving the country.  It’s the latest step in a diplomatic row testing the Vienna Convention concept of “Diplomatic Immunity”.

India’s problem is that Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given the Indian court a written promise two Italian Marines accused of killing two Indian fishers would return to India by March 22.  New Delhi claims that by writing the note, Mancini had waved his diplomatic immunity.

The fishers were killed in an anti-Piracy raid, and the Marines said they mistook the fishing boat for a pirate craft.

Also at issue is the location of the failed raid, the Italians say it was in International waters and not India’s jurisdiction.  New Delhi disputes that.

Italy’s foreign ministry is refusing to send the Marines back to India to face charges, saying that violates the marines’ rights.

The Indian government’s response is partially driven by media coverage, which is lined up behind the indignant families of the fishers.