Zee Media Bureau/ Deepak Nagpal
New Delhi: With little headway in efforts to secure the release of 40 Indians kidnapped in Iraq by ISIS militants, New Delhi has knocked on the doors of Saudi Arabia to rescue its nationals.
As per a report in a leading English daily, talks have already started between Indian and Saudi officials on how to rescue the Indians captured in Iraq`s Mosul.
But why is India seeking the help of Saudi Arabia? Because India and Saudi Arabia share good relations and the Gulf nation is perceived to have some influence on Iraq`s Sunni militants.
As per latest reports, the kidnapped Indians are being held at two different locations near Mosul.
While reports have said that the Indians were kidnapped by militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the government is still trying to confirm whether any other group could be involved. The efforts have been prolonged due to the fact that very little information is trickling out of Iraq.
The Iraqi government has already stated that it was not feasible to rescue the abducted Indians, though their whereabouts were known.
ISIS militants, who have seized control of several Iraqi cities including Mosul and Tikrit, are believed to have abducted citizens of several other countries, including Turkey.
While Iraq has requested the US to carry out air strikes against Sunni militants, President Barack Obama has so far not heeded and has only approved sending 300 military advisors to train Iraqi forces.
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton yesterday said that it would be difficult for the US to come back to Iraq unless its Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki mends ways or steps down. Al-Maliki`s Shiite government has been accused of leading a government that is not inclusive and is ignoring the interests of the Sunni community.
