How India Secured its Nurses' Release in Iraq: Dramatic Developments and Diplomacy

[SouthDesi]

This photo taken on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, shows damaged homes due to clashes between fighters of ISIS and Iraqi security forces in Tikrit, 130 kilometers north of Baghdad, Iraq.


New Delhi: 46 nurses taken captive by the Sunni insurgent group ISIS in Iraq were freed on Friday and flown back home in what the Narendra Modi government is chalking up as its first diplomatic victory.

"It has been a day of dramatic developments," foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Many are crediting the diplomatic coup to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who, officials said, "worked day and night" and cancelled a trip to her constituency Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh to tackle the crisis. The minister reportedly held back-channel talks with several countries including Syria, Jordan and Turkey, which border ISIS territory. Significantly, 32 Turkish civilians were released by ISIS militants yesterday and over 50 consulate staff and others still captive.

Sources say Ms Swaraj reached out to her counterparts in the Gulf and other countries and sought their inputs. Last week, she reportedly met India's envoys in the Gulf seeking their assessment and discussing where to go for help. She also had a working lunch with envoys from those countries in Delhi. ( Iraq Crisis: Sushma Swaraj Meets Envoys to Gulf Nations)

"All national assets were used, including India's international goodwill," Mr Akbaruddin said.

The foreign ministry also got in touch with non-government contacts, past and present.

Efforts are now on to rescue 39 construction workers who were kidnapped in Mosul two weeks ago.

Critics questioned whether the government's efforts were belated. The foreign ministry said it was a considered decision.

"They made a judgement call and didn't want to come but as the situation got worse, they changed their mind... But then the access to land route is difficult... The only people who had it were the captors and so once this decision was taken, the nurses were brought out," Mr Akbaruddin said.


Dramatic Developments and Diplomacy: How India Secured its Nurses' Release in Iraq - NDTV

 

[Basel]

Congrats on getting your people back safely form conflict area, From this Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs should learn too, they usually don't work for our people like that.

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Nice to see, All are safe.... Also thanks to Sunni groups, they released the innocent people that has nothing to do in the Iraq crises.

 

[SouthDesi]

Also thanks to Sunni groups, they released the innocent people that has nothing to do in the Iraq crises.

It seems like at-least for now, they wanted to keep it as fight b\n Sunnis and Shias. They may target others once they finish(?) or get an upper hand on Shias.

 

[harpoon]

In future GOI should have the authority to order the expat Indians to return once the situation in that country escalates and the govt thinks that the life of the expats is in danger.

 

[mehboobkz]

In future GOI should have the authority to order the expat Indians to return once the situation in that country escalates and the govt thinks that the life of the expats is in danger.

Which or how many countries out of 200 plus in the world have such laws?
Advisory is different matter though...

 

[Bearwithclaws]

Congrats on getting your people back safely form conflict area, From this Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs should learn too, they usually don't work for our people like that.

Are any Pakistanis struck in Iraq? So far I Haven't come across any report of Pakistanis being struck in Iraq.

 

[harpoon]

Which or how many countries out of 200 plus in the world have such laws?
Advisory is different matter though...

I am just repeating what an ex diplomat said in our local channel. The whole kidnap drama of the nurses could have been avoided if they had evacuated at thefirst sign of danger itself...but the nurses stayed on as they were not paid their salaries.

 

[mehboobkz]

I am just repeating what an ex diplomat said in our local channel. The whole kidnap drama of the nurses could have been avoided if they had evacuated at thefirst sign of danger itself...but the nurses stayed on as they were not paid their salaries.

I do not think any country has such laws.
Neither the India would be the first one to begin with...

 

[harpoon]

I do not think any country has such laws.
Neither the India would be the first one to begin with...

Whats the problem with it?

If the people wants the govt to help them, they should also be ready to help the govt.

 

[mehboobkz]

Whats the problem with it?
.

Ask yourself!
Even the most advanced countries don't have such laws restricting livelihood and freedom of their people, as long as they are legitimately employed....

BTW, India has laws of its own to control their work force towards GULF region, in that, those leaving India for GULF counties must have emigration stamp on their passport to be regularized as such, as for as Indian Immigration laws are concerned.
Even the recruiting agents are liable, if they don't report...But normally they don't.

And, before I forget, it might be unconstitutional!

 

[Tshering22]

Truly relieved to see the ladies return home safely.

We still have 8000 plus expats there. Time to get them back.

 

[indiatester]

Truly relieved to see the ladies return home safely.

We still have 8000 plus expats there. Time to get them back.

I find it strange that these people are putting their lives at risk to earn a bit more.

 

[harpoon]

Ask yourself!
Even the most advanced countries don't have such laws restricting livelihood and freedom of their people, as long as they are legitimately employed....

The people of advanced countries are not employed in their thousands in far away lands on low paying jobs like people from India or in that case Pakistan is. As for freedom of movement countries like China not even allow their citizens to move from one area to another freely ...also many countries like India does not allow issue their citizens passport if they fail police verification.

BTW, India has laws of its own to control their work force towards GULF region, in that, those leaving India for GULF counties must have emigration stamp on their passport to be regularized as such, as for as Indian Immigration laws are concerned.
Even the recruiting agents are liable, if they don't report...But normally they don't.

And, before I forget, it might be unconstitutional!

Constitution is not something written in stone, it can be amended. As a country with limited resources, limited global reach and with millions of NRIs to look after in dozens of foreign countries, its essential for GoI to use not only 'carrot' but also the 'stick'.

 

[manlion]

when it concerns Indians , India uses all doors, front, back, side to secure the release.
When Tamil fishermen are taken captive by genocidal Lankan Navy, (over 700 killed in the past 5 yrs) , India just ignores, Indian Navy turns a blind eye to Lankan navy harassment.

Still not satisfied, India takes the issue to court to stop Tamilnadu fishermen from fishing for their livelihood in their traditional waters.

This double standard justifies the Tamilnadu sentiment , India treats Dravidian Tamils as an enemy country

follow up here

India Backstabs Tamilnadu on Katchathivu | Page 2