New Delhi, February 21
India today asked Italy to ensure the safety and security of its diplomats in the European nation after the Indian embassy in Rome received a live bullet and several hate mails this week.

This comes amid diplomatic tension between the two nations over the trial of two Italian marines.

Italy had recalled its ambassador to India on Tuesday to protest the “delay” in proceedings against the marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

“We have sensitised our friends in Italy and hope that necessary measures will be taken to ensure safety and security,” MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, adding the incident was a "matter of concern" for India.

He said India had previously taken a security review of the embassy in Rome to ensure that adequate measures were in place. But it was the responsibility of the host country to ensure security of the diplomats under the Vienna Convention.