India seeks help from France for release of nationals in Iraq

NEW DELHI: India has sought help from France in securing the release of 39 Indians who are in captivity in war-hit Iraq for over a fortnight.

The matter was discussed during the meetings the visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius had with leaders here. Confirming that the matter was discussed, Fabius, however, refused to divulge the details as to what kind of help has been assured by France.

"We discussed that, but I will be discreet about it. We are exchanging elements by our intelligence," he told a select group of news agency journalists.

India has already made it clear that it was seeking assistance from all international humanitarian organisations and countries.

"We are knocking on all doors. I explained to you previously, we are knocking on front doors, back doors and on trap doors," the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry had said yesterday when asked if India had sought France's help during the talks between Fabius and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.