Modi government asks Houthis to release 7 Indians on seized ship

THE seven Indian sailors on board a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo vessel that was seized by Houthi rebels off Hodeidah port in Yemen are in good health and the Indian government is in touch with multiple sources to convey its message to the Houthis that the sailors be released at the earliest, the external affairs ministry said on Friday (28).

Responding to a question at an online press briefing, ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said as per the information received from the shipping company based in the UAE and other sources, the Indian sailors are safe and being given food regularly.

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He added that their captors are not allowing them to communicate with their families.

The Narendra Modi government is in touch with various sources, including the United Nations mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement to enquire about the safety and well-being of the sailors and reinforce its message to the rebels that their release is ensured soon, Bagchi said.

In reference to the terror attack in Abu Dhabi in which two Indian nationals were killed earlier this month, Bagchi said external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar condemned the terror attack strongly during his telephonic conversation with his UAE counterpart.

The UN Security Council, of which India is currently a non-permanent member, also condemned the terror attack, Bagchi said.

“We are closely monitoring developments,” he added.