Krishna speaks to Egyptian envoy on Indian hostage issue | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Krishna speaks to Egyptian envoy on Indian hostage issue

None | By, New Delhi
Mar 09, 2011 04:02 PM IST

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has met Egyptian Ambassador Khaled el Bakly and discussed the recent incident of Somali pirates hijacking a ship which had among others six Indian sailors on board.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has met Egyptian Ambassador Khaled el Bakly and discussed the recent incident of Somali pirates hijacking a ship which had among others six Indian sailors on board.

HT Image
HT Image

Government is continuing with its efforts to ensure all possible help in seeking safe release of the sailors, held captive by Somali pirates for more than seven months now, official sources told PTI here today.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

They said the minister met the Ambassador, who has agreed to coordinate with the ship owner who is an Egyptian. The Panama-flagged vessel, MV Suez, was captured by the pirates on August 2 last year.

The ship's crew includes four Pakistanis, six Indians, four Sri Lankans and 11 Egyptians. The Somali pirates have reportedly demanded USD 4 million for release of the six Indians and given a week-long deadline for meeting their demand, which is to expire shortly.

Meanwhile, the families of captives have been demanding immediate and resolute action by the Centre in the matter. However, maintaining that "publicity is just what the pirates want so that they can hike up their ransom demands further", Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said, "Let's not help them this way. "In the past, without publicity, shipowners have negotiated release of hostages and brought down ransom demands too," she had tweeted yesterday.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On