PM Modi meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urges him to pass on info on Indians held captive in Mosul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, discussed the condition of the Indians taken as prisoners in Iraq and Libya in New York before leaving for India. Modi also urged Abbas to pass on any information that he might have on the status of 39 Indians held captive.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the 39 Indians, who have been taken as prisoners in Iraq, were still alive and said that the government would do the necessary to secure their release after gathering more information.

"The Prime Minister asked the President to share with him any information he had regarding the condition of the Indians, to which the President replied saying that any information regarding this matter has constantly been transferred between India and Palestine and as soon as they receive any new information regarding the prisoners, they will let us know," MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

According to President Abbas, all the captive Indians taken as prisoners are alive so far. In Iraq, a group of 39 Indian construction workers have been held captive by Islamic State in Mosul for more than a year, despite attempts by the Indian government to secure their release. Earlier, four Indians had been detained near the Libyan coastal city of Sirte, an area that is under the control of Islamic State militants.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will participate in the BRICS and SAARC ministerial meets. The External Affairs Minister will also be addressing a United Nations session during her visit.