Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Wednesday that the government could recall its ambassador to India for "urgent consultations" after a court there rejected bids by two Italian marines to spend Christmas at home.
Gentiloni told parliamentarians that this did not mean Italy wished to cut diplomatic relations with New Delhi. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said that the full physical recovery of marine Massimiliano Latorre was "a priority for the government and nothing will be done to jeopardize his condition". Latorre has been in Italy for treatment but on Tuesday, the Indian Supreme Court refused his request to remain longer, insisting he return for the case of two Indian fishermen shot dead almost three years ago.
The court also refused the request of a second Italian marine, Salvatore Girone, to return home for Christmas.
Pinotti added that Latorre, who was allowed to leave India in September for four months of medical treatment at home, is in no condition to travel.
She added that Italy was not defying India, but the recognition of Latorre's health problems was simply "a calm and firm acknowledgement of the situation".
His leave was granted by the Indian government after he suffered a form of heart attack.
On Tuesday, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and other politicians expressed displeasure after India's Supreme Court decision.
The case dates to February 2012 when the two marines were on anti-piracy duty and two fishermen were shot.
The situation has led to tense relations between India and Italy, which says that because the two marines were on international duty, India does not have jurisdiction.
Other Italian politicians spoke out against the Indian ruling, in Rome and at the European Union parliament in Brussels.
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