Sushma Swaraj requests early release of six Indian seamen in Egypt

CAIRO: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought her Egyptian counterpart's intervention for securing the early release of six Indian seamen detained in Egypt since February 2014.

Swaraj sought Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry's intervention in the early release of six Indian seamen who are detained in Egypt, Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. However, it did not provide details of the arrested seamen.

Swaraj, who had wide range of talks with Shoukry yesterday, also thanked him for facilitating the process for transfer of two Indian prisoners who are serving life terms in Egyptian jails.

Swaraj arrived here on Sunday on her maiden visit to Egypt as External Affairs Minister.

Yesterday, India and Egypt decided to put in place a bilateral framework for enhancing cooperation in key areas of security, counter-terrorism, defence and investments.