Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said given the friendly ties between India and Iraq, the militants holding 41 Indians in captivity in Iraq should consider releasing the workers as a “gift to India” before Eid on July 29.

Ms. Swaraj informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday that while the Government was working round the clock to secure the release of 41 Indian construction workers, a collective appeal should be made by the House to the captors to release the workers as a goodwill gesture during the holy month of Ramzan.

Replying to a calling attention motion on the situation arising out of Indians stranded in Iraq, Ms. Swaraj said though the government was not directly in touch with the captive Indians, it has learnt through multiple sources that they were all “safe, alive and being taken care of.”

The Minister made a reference to the historical relations between India and Iraq and said it must be recalled that several years ago, it was this House that had passed a resolution to not send Indian armed forces to Iraq.

She said New Delhi was committed to help all the Indians who wish to return from Iraq and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks an update on the issue everyday. “Even if there is one person who needs to return we will help. I am looking out for these people in captivity as a mother does for her children. For me they are all Indians and not Punjabis, Biharis etc.,” she said in response to a question by Capt. Amarinder Singh of the Congress.