Italy has summoned the Indian envoy in Rome to protest against India's conduct in the marines case.

Earlier in the day, Italy recalled its envoy Daniele Mancini in protest saying there was unacceptable delay by the Supreme Court in the case against the two marines.

Ambassador Mancini will return to Italy with immediate effect. The two marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who are staying at the Italian embassy in New Delhi, are accused of killing two Indian fishermen they mistook for pirates while guarding a cargo ship in 2012.

"Given India's evident incapacity in handling this case, Italy will continue and intensify action to defend its sovereign rights in line with international law," Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said.

A Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Tuesday was immediately postponed because prosecutors are still waiting for the Indian justice ministry to decide which law to try the case under, according to Italian media. The next hearing will be on February 24.