Italy confident of resolving 'difficult moment'

Italy on Wednesday expressed confidence that the diplomatic row with India over its refusal to send back two Italian marines will be overcome.

Describing the current standoff as a "difficult moment" for the two countries, Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini said he will not shy away from finding a solution.

"I am confident that two mature democracies such as ours will overcome these difficulties. We are working with Indian institutions and the government to do whatever best can be done to overcome these current difficult moments," Mancini said at an event.

"We will not shy away from this. It is very much present in our mind," he said, a day after the ministry of external affairs summoned him to convey India's position on this matter in the "strongest of terms".

Angered by a sudden U-turn by the Italian government -- which refused to return the two marines who have been charged with killing two Indian fishermen last year -- India on Tuesday demanded that they be sent back to face trial for homicide in the country.

The marines -- Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone – have been charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off Kerala coast in February 2012 during an anti-piracy operation.

They were permitted by the apex court on February 22 to go to Italy for four weeks to vote in the general election.

India has strongly rejected the stand of the Italian government, which, Delhi said, has “gone back on its assurances”.