Looking East~I
Jaishankar’s visit came at a time when the international situation looks quite uncertain and volatile, and the world is recovering from a once-in-a-century pandemic while still being subjected to continuous shocks.
It was the end of wait for family members of the three Himachali youth abducted by the Nigerian pirates when the news of the release of the three Himachali youth serving in Merchant Navy was confirmed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday.
Sushma Swaraj tweeted, “We have secured the release of the three Indian nationals Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar-all from Himachal Pradesh, who were abducted in Nigeria. I appreciate the efforts of BN Reddy Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria.”
We have secured the release of three Indian nationals Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar – all from Himachal Pradesh who were abducted in Nigeria. I appreciate the efforts of Shri B.N.Reddy Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria. @jairamthakurbjp pic.twitter.com/hDZVqWSKRi
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— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 11, 2018
All the three hailed from Kangra district Sushil Kumar from Nagrota Surian, Pankaj Kumar from Nagrota Bagwan and Ajay Kumar from Palampur.
“I got to talk to my brother today after over two months. The update of my brother’s release along with two others was provided to me by the government and the shipping company my brother worked for,” said Vinay Kumar, brother of Sushil Kumar (37), the captain of the ship, who is in Mumbai for last few days.
“I am looking forward to being reunited with my brother tomorrow night, once all formalities in the embassy are complete and he finally reaches India. Back home my father, mother, sister-in-law and two kids are happy and are waiting anxiously to meet him,” Vinay said.
Sushil’s family members last spoke to him on 31 January.
On 12 March they received a satellite call from Nigeria, wherein Sushil told them that his ship was hijacked by the Nigerian pirates along with two other crew members who also were from Himachal Pradesh.
“Since then all of us had been living on the edge and anxious for their safe return,” Vinay said.
All the family members along with relatives had been endlessly waiting for their release with a prayer on their lips.
The family members of the abducted youth had urged the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Member of Parliament Kangra constituency Shanta Kumar for their release.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had also taken up the issue with the Centre.
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