India today reiterated that Italy should respect and abide by the agreement signed by its ambassador before the country’s Supreme Court, requesting to allow the two Italian marines to visit their home for voting. Briefing reporters in New Delhi this evening, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin asserted that Rome should not to go back on its solemn promises given to the apex court that the marines will return to India after casting their votes. Akbaruddin said India is reviewing the bilateral ties with Italy and an appropriate action will follow after studying the entire expanse of the interaction with that country.

To a question on the Supreme Court order restraining Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving the country, the spokesperson said that no aspect of Vienna Convention, which governs diplomatic relations between countries, was violated by the apex court notice to the envoy.

The marines–Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone– were charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year.