Thaw in ties? Sushma meets Italian counterpart

In an indication of the thawing of relation between India and Italy, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj met her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentilon.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. in Islamabad. |AP
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. in Islamabad. |AP

NEW DELHI: In an indication of the thawing of relation between India and Italy, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj met her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni on Monday — a first high-level meeting between the two countries after the bilateral ties hit rock bottom over the detention of two Italian marines for their role in the killing of two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast. Swaraj is in Rome along with a 12-member delegation to attend the canonisation of Nobel laureate and Missionaries of Charity founder Mother Teresa.

Announcing the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted: “Infusing new energy in India-Italy relations. EAM Sushma Swaraj meets Italian FM Paolo Gentiloni, holds talks.”

The two leaders reviewed the status of the bilateral ties. The relationship between New Delhi and Rome nosedived after India detained two Italian Marines — Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre — for the killings of two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012.   Italy had moved a UN tribunal which permitted Girone to fly home pending trial in India. Latorre is already in Italy over health reasons.

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