New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- India has strong relations with Italy that have expanded in recent years and it is important to be "respectful of each other" as part of diplomatic practice, the external affairs ministry said on Friday while responding to remarks made by opposition Congress party leaders regarding the PMs of the two countries. "We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every which way," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing in response to a question about the remarks by the Congress leaders. "And it's important that as part of diplomatic practice that we strengthen our ties.being respectful of each other, and there's mutual understanding between the two sides," he said. Addressing a Congress party event in New Delhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach towards foreign policy and contended his policy was based on hugging foreign leaders. Gandhi then hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dixit on the stage. Dixit then responded, speaking in Hindi, "Did you hug me thinking I was [Italian Prime Minister Giorgia] Meloni?" Gandhi replied: "I have not reached there yet."htc...