New Delhi, June 19 -- A diplomatic dispute has erupted between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump after Trump claimed that Meloni had "begged" to have a photograph taken with him during the recent G7 summit in France.

The remarks, made during an interview with Italian television broadcaster La7, triggered an immediate sharp response from the Italian leader, who dismissed the comments as entirely fabricated and accused Trump of disrespecting allies.

Speaking to La7, Trump alleged that Meloni had insisted on a photo opportunity with him at the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France.

"Meloni? She begged me for a photo; I felt sorry for her," Trump said during the interview.

In a self-recorded video mes...