Helping Indians abroad

The release of two of the four Indians kidnapped in Libya has come as a relief. The surprise, if any, was the Modi government was quick to take the credit. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted: “I am happy we have been able to secure the release of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar. Trying for other two”. She gave no information about how the release was secured, who had kidnapped them and why. On Monday she spoke in the Rajya Sabha on Lalit Modi, but not on the kidnappings. Now Libya is in a chaotic state. A civil uprising in 2011 had brought an end to the rule of Muammar Gaddafi. Among the various militia groups fighting for the control of various cities is the Islamic State (IS), which has been carrying out kidnappings and executions of foreigners, particularly Christians. The area from where the four Indians were forcibly taken away is said to be under the IS control. 

When Sushma Swaraj made the tweet over the release, Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned her claim: “Is India doing business with (the) IS in Libya?” Apparently the release happened without any intervention of the NDA government. It is unlikely that India's Ambassador could have contacted/influenced the kidnappers in a volatile situation in such a short time. Media reports say it was the University of Sirte, where the four Indians taught, which negotiated their release. They were freed because they were teachers. The other two were at a separate location.  Prior to the uprising, some 18,000 Indians lived in Libya. Most were evacuated post revolution, but still about 6,000 are believed to be living there.

The issue of safety of Indians abroad has not been addressed adequately despite a growing number of incidents involving them. The government has not been able to secure the release or provide definite information about the 39 Punjabi workers kidnapped by the IS in Iraq. The External Affairs Minister is known for being compassionate and helping a tainted entrepreneur to be with his wife suffering from cancer. She should also act on “humanitarian” grounds in cases of ordinary Indians in need abroad.