External Affairs Minister S.M Krishna on Monday said that the issue relating to the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie, involved in a shoot out that killed two fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, will not affect the cordial relations between the two countries.

Talking to media persons in Kochi, he said the country's cordial relations with Italy will continue and steps will be taken to further strengthen it. He said the union government is not inclined to go beyond the state government's stand on the issue.

The Minister said steps have been taken to minimize the menace of Somalian pirates, and he added that more needs to be done in this regard. He said the government is thinking of doing away the subsidy content of the Haj pilgrimage.

Earlier, Mr. Krishna held discussions with the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other officials of the state on the issue relating to the detained vessel. He also inaugurated 13 Passport Seva Kendras in the state.