The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday cited strong India-Italy ties and the need to maintain diplomatic protocol amid a growing furore over the comments made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on India's foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

MEA's reaction came on the back of Rahul Gandhi taking a swipe at the country's foreign policy during an event held in New Delhi on Thursday where he also mocked PM Modi's public embraces with foreign leaders by staging a hug with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.