India and Italy today sought to clear the air on killing of two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast recently by Italian guards on board a commercial vessel. In a joint media statement in New Delhi with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant'Agata , the External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna said that the public opinions in both the countries are very strong on the issue.

Mr. Terzi expressed his regrets on the killing of the fishermen and said that he is satisfied with the judicial trial of the two Italian vessel guards allegedly responsible for the killing of the fishermen.

Speaking on bilateral relationship, Mr. Krishna said that Italy is India's the fifth largest trade partner in the EU and both sides are eager to enhance their economic ties.
Mr. Terzi said that both the sides discussed wide range of international, regional and bilateral issues. He said they also discussed terrorism, Afghanistan situation and bilateral cooperation at the United Nations multilateral forums.