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Italy recalled its ambassador to India on Tuesday, after the Indian Supreme Court again postponed a ruling over the case of two Italian marines accused of murder.
"The Italian government has decided the immediate recall of the ambassador to New Delhi Daniele Mancini for consultations," the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
A hearing of the Indian Supreme Court was scheduled on Tuesday where and the court was expected to rule over Indian prosecutors' request to charge the two marines Massimiliano La Torre and Salvatore Girone under anti-piracy and anti-terrorist legislation.
The request, which has caused outrage in Italy, has to be confirmed or rejected by Indian Supreme Court judges. Italy has also objected because of the alleged lack of clear charges against the two marines, two years after they were arrested.
"Given the further, unacceptable postponement this morning by the Indian Supreme Court and the Indian manifest incapacity to handle the affair, Italy will continue and intensify its effort for the recognition of its rights as sovereign State, in conformity with international law," Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said in the statement.
Italy's priority would remain to secure the release of the two marines as soon as possible, the statement added.
Latorre and Girone were part of an international military mission protecting a privately-owned Italian-flag cargo ship off the Indian coast. They were arrested in February 2012 for opening fire on a fishing boat approaching the cargo. Two Indian fishermen were killed.
The marines alleged that they opened fire because they had mistaken the boat for a pirate vessel. They denied deliberately killing the fishermen.
Indian authorities have excluded the death penalty, which is an option under India's anti-terrorist laws. The marines, however, could still face up to 10 years in jails if charges are confirmed.
The case sparked a bitter diplomatic dispute between Italy and India, which usually enjoy good ties.
Italy has sought European and international support on the case, especially concerning possible terrorism charges. Bonino declared the Indian prosecutors' request was "completely unacceptable, because it would mean that Italy is a terrorist country."
