FSUI General Secretary Says Over 30 Indians Still Held by Somali Pirates

Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the Federation of Seafarers and United International, reiterated that more than 30 Indian seafarers have been in the hands of Somali pirates since April.

He explained that the recent hijacking of two vessels in the Yemeni waters added 22 more Indian crew members to an already growing list of hostages. "The pirates are demanding money, but the core issue is the continued captivity of our nationals," Yadav said.

Yadav referenced a previous incident on 22 April, when a ship carrying 21 Indian sailors and one Vietnamese national was fired upon by small pirate boats, resulting in a prolonged gun battle that lasted over an hour. Video footage of that attack was posted publicly, highlighting the severity of the threat.

The FSUI has observed a press briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs and a statement from the Indian embassy in Syria, both of which confirmed ongoing diplomatic engagement with the local government. Yadav questioned whether the Indian authorities will wait for a formal proposal from the Yemeni side or act independently as they have done in past crises.

He concluded by urging the government to act swiftly, emphasizing that the families are under immense pressure and fear for the safety of their loved ones.