Fisherman killing: India seeks transparent probe from US

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) India Thursday said it has sought from the US a "full, transparent and expeditious investigation" into the death of an Indian fisherman killed off the coast of the UAE following firing by a US naval ship last month.

Responding to questions by DMK's Kanimozhi over the controversial incident, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha that India was in touch with the governments of the United Arab Emirates and the US over the incident.

Ahamed said that the US government has also conveyed that its department of defense has launched two separate investigations into the incident.

He also informed parliament that the UAE government has registered a case and is conducting an independent probe into the incident.

The Indian government is in touch with the authorities in the US and UAE who are carrying out full investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident, he said.

Ahamed added that the US has also conveyed that it was exploring the possibility of providing humanitarian assistance and relief to the family of the slain Indian fisherman.

The US embassy Wednesday said it has compensated the family of a dead Indian fisherman and given assistance to three survivors of a US Navy ship's firing on their boat near Dubai last month. The money will not influence the investigation into the July 16 shooting, an embassy spokesman said in a statement.

The details of the payment were worked out by the US in consultation with the Tamil Nadu government.