Efforts to release Indian seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates
A high-level meeting chaired jointly by Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, supported by Secretary (Shipping) and Foreign Secretary and other senior officials, was held here to review the progress made in securing the release of Indian seafarers held hostage by the Somali pirates.
The Shipping Minister as well as the External Affairs Minister and the senior officials of both the ministries have met the family members of the Indian seafarers during the course of the week.
According to official sources, the urgency to find ways to secure the release of Indian seafarers was underscored during the meeting.
The meeting also touched on issues relating to piracy in general and also recent efforts made by the Government of India in international fora particularly in the United Nations Security Council to forge global consensus on addressing the challenges posed by Somali pirates.
Official sources said the two Ministers have decided to remain in close contact and coordinate efforts, including steps suggested during the meeting with the ministries concerned to secure the early release of the Indian hostages.
Source: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/
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