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We'll do everything possible for sailors' release: Krishna

March 10, 2011 13:28 IST

The government on Thursday promised to do 'everything possible' for the release of the Indian sailors held hostage by Somalian pirates but cautioned against an 'emotive' response, saying it could endanger their lives. With Opposition members cutting across party lines in the Rajya Sabha expressing serious concern over the captive Indian sailors, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the government cannot afford to put their lives in jeopardy.

"There is no use getting worked up and getting emotive. Let us be very objective in our assessment of the situation. We will have to be restrained, but at the same time we will have to pursue it vigorously through back channels -- there cannot be any time limit," Krishna said during zero hour in Parliament.

He also reminded the members of Parliament that when the Americans tried to carry out an assault on some of the pirated ships to rescue their hostage sailors on February 22, four of them were killed. Raising the issue, S S Ahluwalia of the Bharatiya Janata Party said that the deadline given by the Somalian pirates for the release of the Indian sailors was coming to an end on Friday, and the government had done nothing towards their release.

Referring to the release of 11 Indian sailors on Wednesday, Ahluwalia said it was because of the efforts of the Spanish government. He wondered if Spain could do it, why could India not take a proactive step when its Navy and Coast Guard were so powerful.