Bandaru Dattatreya meets Sushma Swaraj to discuss Indian hostages in Libya

NEW DELHI: Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya today met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss about the issue of abduction of two nationals in Libya by the militant group Islamic State.

"Today I met the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Parliament House and congratulated her and her Ministry for the efforts in getting two Indians released from the clutches of Islamic State in Libya.

"I also expressed my concern for the release of two other Indians, Balram Kishan of Tirumalagiri area in Telangana and Gopi Krishna of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh," he told reporters in a media briefing.

Dattatreya said he met Swaraj alongwith MPs from TRS, YSR-Congress Party to discuss about the situation on abduction of these nationals.

"So today along with TRS and YSRCP MPs, I met the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. After that immediately, the Congress delegation came, including Renuka Chaudhary," he said.

The Labour Minister said Swaraj immediately spoke with the Indian Ambassador of Libya and was updated of the situation from there.

"She is in touch with them. And the information is that even the militants are feeling that these are the teaching professionals. With these efforts by External Affairs Ministry, we are hopeful that they may also be released. But efforts are on," Dattatreya said.

He also said that Swaraj has directed the Indian Ambassador in Libya to make all efforts to ensure safe release of the two Indians.

Dattatreya is a politician from Telangana belonging to BJP.