India seeks release of detained sailors in Iran

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif in New Delhi on Friday and raised the issue of the nine Indian sailors detained in Iran. According to reports, Swaraj requested Zarif to waive off the 2.9 million dollar fine imposed on the sailors and sought their early release. The Indian External Affairs Minister also advised Indian Ambassador to Iran, Saurabh Kumar, to follow up on the issue on a priority basis and secure the release of the sailors at the earliest. After the meeting, Ms Swaraj met family members of Sushil Kapoor who has been languishing in a jail in Iran for the last two years. Kapoor and his ship’s crew were apprehended by the Iranian Government on charges of smuggling oil. The Minister apprised them of her meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister.