​PM Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj will do all to secure release of Indians in Iraq: Nitin Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would do all in their capacity to secure the release of Indians abducted in Iraq.

When asked for his comment on Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi writing a letter to the prime minister, Gadkari said, "On this, the prime minister and the foreign minister had said the government will do all it can to secure the lives of those stranded in Iraq. The prime minister and the foreign minister have discussed this issue, and I am sure that the Government of India will put in all efforts to save their lives."

Earlier, media reports had said that Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to Prime Minister Modi expressing concern over the abduction of 40 Indians in strife-torn Iraq, and had urged him to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure their safety and secure their early release.

Gandhi further suggested that he should "act swiftly" to evacuate all Indians from the affected area and ensure their safe return.

"I urge you to intensify all diplomatic efforts required to ensure their safety and secure their release," she said.

Giving her party's backing for all diplomatic efforts to achieve the objective, she said, "It is imperative to act swiftly to evacuate all our nationals in the region and ensure their safe return."

For full coverage of the crisis in Iraq and the Indians stranded there, read here.