UPA govt acts tough, delays sending new envoy to Italy

India on Thursday toughened its stand over Italy's refusal to send back two marines accused of killing Kerala fishermen to face trial by stopping its new ambassador to Rome from joining duty. Highly placed government sources confirmed that senior diplomat Basant Gupta, who has been named ambassador to Italy, has been asked to stay put in India. Gupta was held back just a day ahead of his taking charge in Rome in what is effectively a retaliatory move by India.