Pakistan, June 19 -- Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly rejected remarks made by US President Donald Trump, calling his claims about her conduct at the G7 summit completely false. The exchange has triggered a diplomatic row between the two allies. Italy has also expressed formal displeasure over the comments.

Trump had claimed in a television interview that Meloni asked repeatedly for a photo with him during the G7 meeting in France. He also suggested that he engaged with her out of courtesy, implying she sought attention. The remarks quickly circulated in international media, drawing criticism from Italian officials.

Responding sharply, Meloni said she was "astonished" by Trump's statements and described them as fabrica...