India appreciates Pakistan's role in safe return of sailors

New Delhi, June 24 (PTI) India Friday appreciated
Pakistan's help in ensuring safe return of Indian sailors who
were held captive by Somali pirates aboard M V Suez.
"We are relieved that their ordeal has ended and they
would soon be safely back with their families," Indian
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said here.
"We appreciate the timely help extended to them and
sailors of other countries by the Pakistani navy," he said in
a statement.
The 22-member crew of M V Suez including six Indians
were brought to Karachi Thursday. The Indian sailors reached
here Friday.
At the same time, the Minister noted that 500 other
sailors from across the world are still in captivity of
pirates and pressed for coordinated efforts by countries to
fight the scourge of piracy.
"The scourge of piracy requires a well coordinated
response by all entities, especially navies of more than two
dozen nations that provide security to sea faring vessels in
piracy infested waters," he said.
The crew members of M V Suez, including four
Pakistanis, a Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptians, were freed after
over two million dollars was paid as ransom to the Somali
pirates last week. The crew had been held by the pirates for
about 10 months. PTI AKK
SSB