Chopper deal: India-Italy standoff over marines may not affect probe

New Delhi: As the standoff between Italy and India over the marines issue continues, there are fears that the strain in ties will affect the CBI probe into the AgustaWestland chopper deal. On Friday, India stopped its new ambassador to Italy from taking charge over the marines issue. However, sources said that this may not impact the CBI probe into the chopper deal as long as certain Indian officials are present in Italy to oversee the case.

What remains to be seen, however, say sources, is how long Italy will now take to respond to India's demands in connection with the scam.

The CBI had visited Italy in February end and had procured some important documents from Italian authorities on the case. The team, constituted of officials from the CBI, the Ministry of Defence and the External Affairs Ministry, had said its meeting with the Italian Foreign Ministry officials, prosecutors and Finmeccanica management was fruitful.

As the standoff between Italy and India continues, there are fears that it will affect the CBI probe into the AgustaWestland chopper deal.

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