The External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna on Wednesday made a statement in the Lok Sabha on the issue of Indian sailors abducted by Somali pirates. Sharing the concern of the members in the Lok Sabha, Mr Krishna said that everything possible is being done to secure the safe release of Indians made hostage by the pirates.

He said Somali pirates have made 79 Indians hostage and seven ships are in their custody. The Minister gave the House the details of the efforts made by the government in this direction and said this is an international problem which needs to be tackled resolutely.

Mr. Krishna said he held talks with the Egyptian Ambassador in India for securing the release of eight Indian nationals as the deadline set by the pirates expires on Wednesday.

He said discussions are also on with the owner of the ship who is a Egyptian national and reiterated government’s commitment to seek safe release of all Indian nationals made hostage by the pirates.

Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition asked the government to seek support in dealing with the growing menace of piracy. Expressing serious concern over the fate of eight Indian nationals who are hostage to Somali pirates, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj said that it is a serious issue as the incidents of piracy are growing.

AIR correspondent adds that the pirates who have threatened to kill the hostages if their demands are not met. They are demanding four million US dollars for their release.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) on Wednesday expressed its dissatisfaction on External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s statement in Lok Sabha on the efforts to rescue the sailors abducted by Somali Pirates.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament party leader Brinda Karat said that Government should take stronger steps to free the sailors.

BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha also urged the government to give utmost priority to freeing the sailors.