India has stressed on the importance of “mutual respect” and “understanding” in its bilateral relationship with Italy and also acknowledged that both “share deep and strong ties”, a day after Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The BJP had slammed Rahul Gandhi for mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy – with his swipe at PM Modi for hugging world leaders – and had accused the Congress MP of using “uncultured and indecent” language and lowering the dignity of the office of the Leader of Opposition.