Govt not hopeful of early release of Indians trapped in Mosul

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday admitted that it could be time-consuming affair to secure release of kidnapped Indians in Mosul as situation in Iraq is difficult and extremely complicated, made worse by the fact that the local government is losing control over the situation following ISIS onslaught. While negotiations with ISIS, through interlocutors in Saudi Arabia and groups like Red Crescent, are ongoing, they are not moving at a fast pace, senior government officials told ET.

“The contacts are on with ISIS through various interlocutors from the region, including state actors and NGOs, but situation on the ground is fluid and complicated in Iraq. It is more complicated than 2004. We are not looking at an early release of the kidnapped persons despite all our attempts,” a senior government official explained.

The situation in 2004 though difficult was less complicated. But it still took a month to secure the release of three Indian truck drivers who were kidnapped in Iraq, the official said, adding, regional players, including Qatar, had played an important role in that episode. “In today’s situation, the government is moving assuredly but the situation will need time to address in all its dimensions. These things are going to take time,” another official, involved in the process, told ET, speaking strictly on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has convened a meeting of Indian envoys in the Gulf region on June 29 to assess the situation in Iraq. India is taking the help of some of these countries, including Saudi Arabia, to negotiate with ISIS. India has also got in touch with Oman, its closest partner in the Gulf, which is trying to influence Iran to play a more active role in assisting Delhi.